A fledgling Mistle Thrush in the Devon wood
I can hear the Mistle Thrush alarm call again. Either that or an over-enthusiastic football fan is using a rattle. I spotted the nest here a few weeks ago when I was enjoying wandering through the woods. Their nest is high up in the ivy.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-5-725x483.jpg)
Mistle Thrushes are large, handsome birds. They’re also very wary and aggressive. This one thought I was a threat from the first rustle of a leaf, crackle of a twig or sign of movement.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-6-725x408.jpg)
As I prepare to leave I spot the reason why. There’s a beautiful fledging Mistle Thrush plonked on a branch looking very concerned for itself in this new world.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-11-725x408.jpg)
I work my way closer to it, approaching behind the natural cover of the trees. I’m fooling no-one, not even a fledgling. It can see and hear me all the way.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-12-725x408.jpg)
It may be small and still downy but it has all the observation skills of an adult. I particularly like its Dennis Healey eyebrows:
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-15-483x725.jpg)
I select the most decorative background in the light of a low evening sun and work my way in a circle around the fledgling on my way out of the wood. I don’t want to spook it and make it jump onto the woodland floor. It will be in danger there from natural predators.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar--725x483.jpg)
As I leave its eyes follow me the whole way.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-20-725x408.jpg)
My, what big feet it has.
![Mistle Thrush - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mistle-Thrush-The-Hall-of-Einar-19-725x483.jpg)
What a precious sight.