Great Grey Shrike - Croydon Hill
The Great Grey Shrike was showing well at times yesterday afternoon, it flew over our heads a couple of times, it even called and hovered in front of us, the little show off. 4 Crossbills also seen.
2-Mar-2020
Great Grey Shrike on Croydon Hill, Brendon Hills, Somerset this afternoon. Nearly collapsed (getting over chest infection), having spent an hour walking uphill & back to my car on wrong track, then having to repeat this on correct track – but worth it! Good to meet Frankie Macrow.
For my photo of it, click on the link below…
Taken at long range from the main forestry track with Nikon P900 (2000mm optical zoom) about 40x magnification compared to human eye; then a 50% image crop in post processing.
Same location, as already described. The Shrike is very mobile covering almost the entire clearing sometimes disappearing for 15 minutes.
Will often sit on the highest of dead trees and smaller Christmas trees in the middle. Also in trees at the back. I would say best viewed in mid-afternoon when the Sun is behind you as opposed to the right of you. Rarely comes close.
Managed a few distant photo’s.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49610383756/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49609863673/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49610383481/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49610383846/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49610637237/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49610638217/in/datetaken/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcousins/49610383231/in/datetaken/
GGS still there between 10.00 and 14.00. Was spending time on 2 of the tallest dead trees in the middle of the cleared area.
Pictures on my flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/139332735@N07/
GGS still this morning, showing well at times but mobile.
Quite a few pairs and small flocks of Crossbill in the wider area.
M
21/02/2020. Although very windy, when the sun came out late this afternoon so did the Grey Grey Shrike. Seemed to be finding plenty to eat including a large green caterpillar. See here….https://flic.kr/p/2ivYMUn
Also of note were the number of Crossbill in the area, along with one Woodcock on the edge of the woodland around the felled area and a Sparrowhawk.
(Note: As you walk up the path towards the cleared fell area, there is a area of bracken on the right with a Oak tree, Holly Tree and another bare tree at the back. Anyway there were about a dozen Crossbills in this tree and they might have been dropping down to the large puddle under this tree. Worth a look if walking passed.
Still there last Friday 14th in clear-fell sat on top of the tallest dead tree surveying its territory - sat and watched it for over an hour. Also half a dozen Crossbills and a few Siskins in the area - the “pre-Dennis” weather was unfortunatley not conducive to any raptor-watching with very dull skies and a strengthening wind!
Great Grey Shrike still there today - seen from 12.00 until 3.00
The Great Grey Shrike was showing well yesterday dinnertime on Croydon Hill, also 10 crossbills in area. On the high tide at Knighton Beach 7 Purple Sandpipers.
A Great Grey Shrike has been on Croydon Hill since late January. It frequents an area of clear fell in the forest at SS976400. The area is best approached from the road by parking at SS968411 and then walking up the hill to the east along the forest road for the best part of a mile until you come to the clear fell. Obviously taking care not to block the gates at the parking area which are in regular use.