Kent:Great Grey Shrike and Gt White Egrest

[KentYeti]

I was Short Eared Owl watching a few hundred yards NW of the Capel Fleet Raptor viewing on the Isle of Sheppey today.

After sunset I went up to the Raptor view point to exchange notes with the one remaining birder there, (there were ten there at one point).

He mentioned a Great Grey Shike had been seen a fairly short distance away during the afternoon. And two, most probably three, Great White Egrets had been only a short distance away in the Fleet that heads off to Shellness.

Plus a female Hen Harrier in the area.

There may have been WABBers there today who can add more detail to those observations?

Cheers,

Bryan

[Dogghound]

Not sure about your area, but plenty of great grey shrikes have turned up here (further north) this week. Had 11 birds reported so far this week, only managed to see three. We get regular wintering birds as well as migrants, they are fantastic. The same system that has brought all of the owls.

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Not sure about your area, but plenty of great grey shrikes have turned up here (further north) this week. Had 11 birds reported so far this week, only managed to see three. We get regular wintering birds as well as migrants, they are fantastic. The same system that has brought all of the owls.

Thanks for that.

Until yesterday I'd not even heard of the Great Grey Shrike. Lovely looking bird, (from my bird books last night).

And the guy that told me about it was well pleased as he had only ever seen one in Hungary.

I think he said Hungary, but from the habits of the bird he told me about I wonder if he meant Romania!

Anyway, the Short Eared Owls are doing well there at present and I may tear myself away from them sometime to see if I can get to see and photo one of the Great Grey Shrikes.

Cheers,

Bryan