A few months ago, when walking in the park near to our old house, we watched a sparrowhawk astride a pigeon, tearing it apart and devouring the hapless bird.  On Friday afternoon I heard strident singing that sounded like an aggressive blackbird.  I looked out and saw one and then two Mistlethrushes searching for worms on the lawn.  They are large, speckled birds and, by reputation protective of their own territory.  I was thrilled to see them and to snap them with an ipad although I would have loved to have used a long lens camera.