Monday 13 October 2008

8 OCTOBER 2008 - NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE performs for allcomers in bright sunshine





WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2008
IVINGHOE HILLS NR
A first-winter NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE was present for its second day in isolated Hawthorns along Ivinghoe Cutting, 250 yards along the Ridgeway Footpath at SP 948 158.
Mike Wallen relocated the bird mid-morning and from 1030-1130 hours, I enjoyed fabulous views of it as it fulfilled a 'larder' in the close vicinity of its feeding area. Along with MW and Mike Campbell (who were both present on my arrival), I was joined by Dave Parmenter and Jim Woods and his family (on route to Scilly from his home in New Cumnock, Ayrshire).
The shrike was clearly a first-winter, with a pale pink base to the lower mandible, white tips to the median coverts, crescentic barring on the underparts, slightly diffuse lores and growing outer tail feathers.
It was fabulously photographed by Ashley Stowe (see above).
DIRECTIONS: Park by Ivinghoe Windmill Visitors car park on the B458 at SP 948 158 and then cross the road, walk past Middle Path Farm and follow the Ridgeway public footpath towards Steps Hill for 250 yards. The bird is frequenting the Hawthorns visible from the second gap in the hedgerow at SP 949 158.
Three REDWINGS also flew over, as well as a single LESSER REDPOLL and several Skylarks
WILSTONE RESERVOIR
Great Crested Grebes (34)
LITTLE EGRETS (2 still)
Mute Swans (21)
WHOOPER SWANS (2)
RUDDY DUCK (4)
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVERS (45)
BARN SWALLOWS (4 over)
Further Vismig included Skylark, 3 Chaffinches and 7 SISKINS

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