Saw a bird today - No photo, just a poor description

[Yashca]

I went for a walk around North Cave Wetlands today, East Yorkshire. The ponds were all almost solidly frozen, and there were nowhere near as many birds as usual.

Did spot a lot of goldfinch, long-tailed tits and so on, also a water-rail and a reed bunting.

However I caught a glimpse of a bird I couldn't identify. It was roughly between blackbird and woodpigeon size, brown on top, and white, cream or yellow underneath - something pale anyway. It was sat on a bench when I first spotted it, but before I could get my binoculars on it, it flew off, low to the ground, and flying in a distinctive manner. It would flap up a meter or so from the ground, and then sort of drop/ glide back down to almost ground level, and then flap up, and then drop. A sort of bouncy flight if you know what I mean?

It flew into so rushes, and when I got near it flew off, across the pond, still flying in the same low, bouncy style.

I know without a picture and with such a vague description identification is unlikely, but if anyone could give me a few possible species then I can check them out and bear them in mind next time I go.

[nikolai_avenger]

Mistle thrush

[Dogghound]

Yes it does sound like a mistle thrush.

[werdnal]

Yes sounds like a mistle thrush to me too. We have a pair that nest in our field hedge most years and they are surprisingly large. And their funny flight has led me to mistake them for a hunting hawk at a distance!

[diggleken]

Whilst Mistle is most likely from the description, there is potential for green woodpecker too if not seen clearly in poor light or at distance.
Cheers
Ken

[twitchyt]

sounded like a thrush to me also, growing up in the 50s they were a daily visitor to the garden, along with the song thrush, now l rarely see them, took a pic of last one l saw in garden, so thrilled was l, sad to see them decline in some area,s, whereas the blackbird is thriving in my area, seven on my small willow this morning waiting for food, sultana,s, seed, etc, first up last to bed and a welcome singer;

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by diggleken

Whilst Mistle is most likely from the description, there is potential for green woodpecker too if not seen clearly in poor light or at distance.
Cheers
Ken

This was a species I considered by the flight description, they are also in that area. However flying into a reed bed is not something I would expect one to do

[faz]

jay from flight and desription ?

[Yashca]

Thank you all for your comments and ideas. I had looked at Mistle Thrush on the RSPB website, but dismissed it, thinking it too small. However, after reading some more, I realised that it is much bigger than I though, and a perfect candidate.

I searched youtube for some footage of these birds flying. No luck with the Mistle Thrush, but found a couple of videos that show a snippet of Green Woodpecker flight. The bird I saw was almost certainly not a Green Woodpecker, I had very decent lighting, and the bird was definately brown and cream, and not as colourful as the Green Woodpecker.

Thanks again for your help!

Yashca.

[nikolai_avenger]

A mistle thrush often gives a loud, clattering, alarm call when flying off in such a situation.

Cheers. Nik.