A couple of relatively long staying birds were visited by myself and Anna (on a lets go for a walk, twitch and buy some bathroom tiles type outing!)
We headed off to Slapton and fortunately Anna spotted a couple of dubious bird characters in a layby - so we stopped and headed off in search for others looking. A hop over a gate and a bit of direction from a local birder we found the long stay
GREAT GREY SHRIKE in a hedge - popping in and out and showing well. The Shrike larder was quite nearby and was holding a rodent of some description, but we didnt find it!
 |
| Long staying Great Grey Shrike |
On the way back to the car a pait of
BULLFINCHES and a
KESTREL in a nearby tree
 |
| Kestrel resting in a tree |
 |
| Bullfinch - seen off by the Shrike |
Then off to Aylesbuty Vale - and into the massive new housing estate (Buckingham Park?) to see quite quickly a male
BLACK REDSTART - in very familiar territory to the one I saw at the Locks in Berko a year or so ago. Up on a roof then down to the fence and hopped off across the gardens. Informed fellow birder of whereabouts - he was still looking while we were in Budgens! Rock and Roll!!
 |
| Black Redstart - nearly in focus! |
