Swarovski 80HD Nikon CP4500

Habitat

Great Grey Shrike

Lanius excubitor 24cm

Something of a rarity in Staffordshire, this Great Grey Shrike attracted plenty of attention from local birders when it arrived in late December at an area of marshland adjacent to the river Trent near Handsacre.

An aggressive hunter for its size (about the same size as a blackbird), the Great Grey Shrike will prey on small birds and mammals which it will occasionally impale on a thorn or spike before eating. This particular bird had created for itself a larder of spiked prey in a large hawthorn bush.

Although tricky to locate initially as it moves around a fairly large territory, once spotted the Shrike is easy to see as it tends to perch on the tops of bushes, trees or posts while searching for food.

This bird was also observed hovering in a manner similar to a Kestrel, but closer to the ground.