Monday, 7 June 2010

Richmond Park. Red-backed shrike.

Having failed by 10 minutes to see the Banstead red-backed shrike, I went to Richmond Park yesterday, sunday, where a male had been reported, 'walk West from Sheen car park'. West from Sheen car park the land didn't look right. There were no bushes and small trees in open terrain or fences that shrikes like. I wouldn't have found the spot except for meeting someone who had just seen it and was going home. It was in a large hawthorn tree where it had been for about an hour. Would it come out?

Dog walkers went very near. A mallard landed on the improbably small pond only a few metres in diameter. We sat on a nearby tussock and waited. Then the bird was spotted. I took a few photos and watched the shrike for a while. I had only brought my smaller lens. Even though it would take half an hour to go back to the car for my 500mm I decided it would be worth it. When I got back the shrike was still there. Hid behind a bush and got some shots of it sitting in wait, but not actually catching anything. A nice trip to the park.







Red-backed shrike
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4 comments:

  1. Eagleseagles7 June 2010 at 17:48

    Lovely photo - i only had my bins with me when I saw it earlier!
    Ran into Seth - last time I saw him was on Sheppey the day I first met you and David!
    usual request - I shall post it on my blog - will remove it if you object - all acknowledgemnets!
    Corinna

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  2. David Campbell7 June 2010 at 21:06

    glad you got this bird after missing the Banstead bird by such a narrow margin. atb David.

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  3. Phil Wallace7 June 2010 at 23:28

    Thank you both. It's fine to use the photo, Corinna. Regards, Phil.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Razboynik15 June 2010 at 21:06

    What a glorious bird. Well worth the effort.

    ReplyDelete

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