Great Grey Shrike

[ringneck]

It's supposed to be a good year for Shrikes this winter and 2 are around our area...with this one in my local fields.
I have visited almost every day for the 2 months since it has been spotted.
It keeps well away almost all the time but on Friday evening around 4.45 I got it quite close and got my best pics yet.
I also saw it capture a mammal like a Vole before flying off to stash it away.The 1st thing I have witnessed it catching in the 2 months.
Keith

[ame]http://www.flickr.com/photos/68459774@N05/12685897893/[/ame]
[ame]http://www.flickr.com/photos/68459774@N05/12685897893/[/ame] by noisybugger, on Flickr

[ame]http://www.flickr.com/photos/68459774@N05/12685898233/[/ame]
[ame]http://www.flickr.com/photos/68459774@N05/12685898233/[/ame] by noisybugger, on Flickr

[Pops]

Re: Great Grey Shrike

This is a new one for me, never seen one before.
2 great shots which will help anyone identify it should they be lucky enough to see one.

[Barr1e]

Re: Great Grey Shrike

This is a new one for me, never seen one before.
2 great shots which will help anyone identify it should they be lucky enough to see one.

First for me too.

Thanks Keith.

Regards. Barr1e

[ringneck]

Re: Great Grey Shrike

Thanks both......my 1st Shrike as well.
One of the 2 species (Great Grey or Red backed) I have always wanted to see since having a bird book 50 years ago.There are ones of these at cannock Chase most years but I have not tried to see them as its such a big place so I was over the moon when this one popped up about a mile away as the Crow flies.
I will look for it every day until it migrates back home...just hope it comes close to wish me well before it goes.

Keith