Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Great Grey Shrike







I biked around the forest tracks of Harwood today. After a bike around the felled Harry's wood produced only Roe Deer. I decided to stop for a break at Tutehill moss next to the bridge where the Fallowlees burn runs under. This is where the Black Grouse was last week but as I pulled up I noticed a Great Grey Shrike on top of a Rowan. It was quite mobile so I could only manage a few distant shots so you will have to click on them to get a better view. Lightning strikes in the same place twice! Other notables were Goshawk, Buzzard, Green and Great spotted Woodpecker, Crossbill and Siskin. Mike Hodgson was also a notable sighting but he didn't have time to go back into the forest. Hopefully it will remain for a couple of weeks.

5 comments:

Alan Tilmouth said...

I had my money on it being yours when I saw the email come through, nice find Nigel, taht's you on a hat trick for next March, no pressure!

Ipin said...

Nice one Nigel...

Brian R said...

Nice find AM, always a grand day when i see a shrike. Cracking wee predators.

Northumbrian Birding said...

A great find again Nigel, you certainly had a better day than I did ,I stopped at the same bridge to let a lorry come rattling past kicking up a dust storm.This is one year tick that's going to have to be earned !!!
Brian

abbey meadows said...

Thanks all. They are magnificent birds. I'm sure it musn't have been around when you were there Brian because you would have seen it. Roll on next March Alan!