The thirteenth UK record of Dusky Thrush turned up in a small Derbyshire village at the beginning of December. This Siberian stray was found by Beeley resident Rachel Jones, who posted photos on the internet. Needless to say, news spread quickly after breaking on Sunday 4th December. I didn't fancy being in a throng of birders during that first week as hundreds descended on the village. I was planning to go the second weekend, but the bird wasn't seen for a few days & when it reappeared I couldn't go. The week before Christmas was very busy at work, so I hoped the bird would stay until after Christmas, when I was on holiday. Fortunately, the Dusky Thrush remained, so I popped over to Beeley this morning.
I arrived on site early afternoon. I did see a couple of birders whilst finding a parking space, but none once I'd exited the car. The reports recently referred to a field on the right along Pig Lane. I started walking along the lane wondering which field? Still no birders. I expected at least a small crowd! I noticed a couple of birders with 'scopes positioned in the middle of a field on the right, so made my way over to them.
They were indeed on the Dusky Thrush. Excellent views were obtained through the 'scope as the bird foraged, at first in the open further up the field, but then closer as it flew down the field to the fence line on the left with trees & bushes, probably about 50yds distance. One of the birders departed leaving just me & another birder enjoying prolonged, repeated views in bright sunshine. As a few more birders arrived, the crowd grew to about a dozen.
