Great grey Shrike.

[Dave66]

Hi All,

Just thought i would mention our star winter visitor. We have a great grey shrike staying just outside our village. The interesting thing is i live on the west coast of Scotland in Argyll & Bute so we don't get a lot of shrikes, in fact this only the third recording in the last thirteen years. I have managed some photo's that arent brilliant but you can clearly see what it is. I'll post them in the Gallery.

Cheers

Dave.

[Picidae]

Hi Dave

If you haven't been welcomed already, a big welcome to WAB and thanks for posting. Smart looking birds, shrikes and always good to see. Usually quite obliging too, so you could well get more pictures in the following days if it sticks around.

Btw: The west coast/Argyle is absolutely my favorite place for birds/wildlife and scenery in the UK ... will maybe retire there someday when I don't need to work anymore!

[jaykay]

Hi Dave

well done on seeing this bird, I must be doing something wrong but I can't see the photo's, any chance of a link for the dozy ones of us that can't find them? Cheers, and welcome to wab.

Jeanette

[Dave66]

Hi Jeanette
Thanks for the welcome.

The photo's i have put in the Gallery are waiting approval but you can also see them in the forum images. The photo's aren't the best but you can clearly identify him.

Thanks

Dave.

[Deer Stalker]

Well done Dave.

As far as I know we only have a couple in the New Forest at the mo. Usually its about four.

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Well done Dave.

As far as I know we only have a couple in the New Forest at the mo. Usually its about four.

Thats interesting Deer Stalker, i don't ever recall seeing one but even if i did i probably wouldn't be able to identify it as one.

Ian

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Ian,

We get them every year. The last few years have probably averaged around 3-4 birds on the Forest but can be as many as six in years before. In the early 70's (before I was born) up to twelve were counted.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Dave66

Hi All,

Just thought i would mention our star winter visitor. We have a great grey shrike staying just outside our village. The interesting thing is i live on the west coast of Scotland in Argyll & Bute so we don't get a lot of shrikes, in fact this only the third recording in the last thirteen years. I have managed some photo's that arent brilliant but you can clearly see what it is. I'll post them in the Gallery.

Cheers

Dave.

Hi Dave,

I wrote my girlfriends car off many years ago when I thought I'd seen a gg shrike - that was on the Oban road, just past the turn-off to Ardfern! I came off the road on a steep bend, flew over a wall and careered down a hill, before we collided with a well-placed boulder!

The only one I've definately seen up there was over 30yrs ago, on telegraph wires on the moorland along the B8001, the road to Claonig.

I guess your in either Kilmartin or Slockavullin - both lovely villages. I'm usually up there for Christmas as I have relatives in Kilmichael Glen, but not this year unfortunately.

Cheers
Jonathan

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Dave66

Hi All, Just thought i would mention our star winter visitor. We have a great grey shrike staying just outside our village..........
Dave.

Lucky you Dave - they're great birds

We usually get a few in East Anglia over the winter - typically in Thetford Forest and last year at Wicken Fen, though I haven't seen one myself for many years now. I must try harder this winter!

Jeff