Horsey Lesser Grey Shrike

Long range video of Lesser Grey Shrike

Shrike in flight

Lesser Grey Shrike perched

Big crowd enjoying the bird

Horsey Mill

As headed back from Yorkshire and reached the edge of the midlands a new sighting emerged of a possible Lesser Grey Shrike in Horsey, Norfolk. To be fair I can't remember twitching anothing is this area of Norfolk but as the evening passed photos were confimed of its identification. We just had to hope it would stick over night as they have reputations for staying one day before moving on.

Positive early news emerged enabling 1st Bird of the Day & I to take off east on the hope of connecting. The weather was excellent and the only trouble was navigating the regular intervals of speed camera's. It just seemed a very long way and we were delighted to stretch our legs for the walk down the track to the bird. A local birder kept us company and told us about the local Cranes and their breeding news this year. A Marsh Harrier hunted close by in the marsh to our north. 

As we turned to the corner to head towards the coast we could see the assembled crowd of 80-100 birders all looking into optics, which is always a good sign. We quickly had our scopes set up and enjoy some fantastic views of the bird flying on and off its favoured perch until it caught it's breakast which was duly deavoured. 

I was really struck with the birds peachy coloured breast and black forecrown which indicated it was an adult bird. Before we left the bird took off and flew around 800 metres along the dunes which made awesome viewing before going out of sight.