Stor Tornskade after the storm

We couldn't do standard ringing again. After a start to the day when we thought there may not be any sheltered nets, we were extremely excited to find that we had caught a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade). Not bad when we only got 13 birds.

 Adult Great Grey Shrike (2k+ Stor Tornskade)

 We had not been able to open any nets until 10:00am, and even then we had to close twice due to squally showers. Earlier, it was really looking as though there was no chance of any birds, and certainly not a new species! Neither of us had ringed Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) but this bird was processed by me, Denise.

When I recorded this video I would never have imaged the day could bring such a fantastic bird!

Good birding!
Denise


Totals: 13 (1)

Rødhals / Robin - 2
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1 (1)
Stor Tornskade / Great Grey Shrike- 1
Gråsisken / Redpoll -1
Nordlig  Gråsisken / Common Redpoll - 2
Lille Gråsisken / Lesser Redpoll - 6

Mr Grey

Today there was no standardised ringing due to really wet conditions at dawn and for most of the morning. At around 11 o'clock we managed to open a few nets before the wind picked up too much. We ringed 49 birds in total today, Goldcrest 20, Blue tit 9, Great tit 6, Robin 4, Chiffchaff 3, Song Thrush 2, Dunnock 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Reed Bunting 1 and bird of the day Great Grey Shrike. Below is a picture today's Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade)

Great Grey Shrike - Lanius excubitor

Purple Sandpiper - Calidris maritima

Other interesting observations today include 3 Tree Pipit (Late), 3 Bullfinch, 3 Grey Wagtails, 17 Red Kites, White-tailed Eagle and a Purple Sandpiper.

Photos: Heather McGinty (Great Grey Shrike) & Jon Friis (Purple Sandpiper)

Blog, Craig Brookes