Mistle Thrush photographed at Colin Best NR [CNR] on 15/11/2021 Photo: © Rod Ferbrache (visit site)

Mistle Thrushes are not as widespread as Song Thrush, preferring more open areas such as parks and agricultural land. There seems to have been an increase in the numbers in the late nineteenth century as Smith observed an increase between 1848 and 1878 which was noticed by other residents of the time. Rountree describes the Mistle Thrush as a not common resident and winter visitor on Sark.

Mistle Thrushes occur throughout the islands. It was recorded breeding in 19 of the 22 squares (86%) during the 1989-91 breeding bird survey. It is an early breeder, sometimes having eggs in the last week of March (Dobson, GBN) and post breeding groups of up to 20 birds can be seen from May onwards in fields and parks. The Mistle Thrush population seems have fluctuated. In the 1970s there were very few reports of this species but from 1983 onwards records have increased. This may be due to more efficient recording in later years but a note in the Guernsey Bird News "A nice flock of 20 birds was seen in a field near the reservoir on 8/9/84 continuing the increase in the number of records of this species" suggests otherwise. (Would anyone remember what the situation was in the seventies?)

The Mistle Thrush is also probably a partial migrant. Increased numbers were recorded in the cold weather of January 1982 and in October 1991 there were corresponding increases in the numbers of both Song and Mistle Thrushes but resident birds can confuse. The only conclusive proof that birds migrate through the Bailiwick is of two birds recorded on the Casquets lighthouse between 12 and 23 November 1985 when 77 Song Thrushes and 64 Blackbirds were also reported as moving through.