Red Backed Shrike

[vinnychameleon]

Hey does anyone know if Red backed Shrikes are still breedin here in the UK

[badgerwatcher]

Hi Vinnychameleon,
I watched a pair of red backed shrikes last year for quite a while on a cliff face in Kent. Don't know if they were nesting but they were very busy.

[JeffH]

Red-backed Shrikes nested regularly in the Santon Downham area of Thetford Forest in Norfolk during the late 1970s and through most of the 1980s - I visited the area (and saw them) regularly during those years. They certainly bred successfully there in 1988 but there were no confirmed pairs in 1989 and I recall that a solitary female turned up in the area that year. It is believed the last breeding pair in England nested there in 1991 and 1992.

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Hey does anyone know if Red backed Shrikes are still breedin here in the UK

I know of one pair this year.

[aeshna5]

I also heard that one pair bred at an undisclosed site this year. For obvious reasons of protecting the birds from evil egg collectors + too much disturbance from over keen birders it's best kept quiet.

Santon Downham was certainly the last regular breeding site. Let's hope they make a comeback- certainly this year's summer should have been good for them.

[badgerwatcher]

They're like little highwaymen. Very beautiful birds.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by SteveA

I know of one pair this year.

That's great news SteveA. Is that a definite report of successful breeding and, if so, have you reported it to your County Bird Recorder or the BTO?