Norfolk Shrikes, late August and September 2025
Two birds that were 'lifers' for me. Given my status as a relatively novice birder, that is not unusual but they were pretty special anyway! Red backed Shrike The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) is a carnivorous passerine bird. Its breeding range stretches from Western Europe east to central Russia. It is migratory and winters in the eastern areas of tropical Africa and southern Africa. It is red listed in the UK and the last recorded breeding pair was in 2020. This is the juvenile Red-backed Shrike was sighted in Thornham, Norfolk, in late-August and early September 2025, near the coastal path and harbour, in a private area. When I visited at the end of August it was only showing distantly, until it rested briefly on a branch about 30 feet from my location on the coastal path. Thornham juvenile in late August 1st winter/juvenile between Morston Quay and Stiffkey in late September Lesser Grey Shrike The Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) is a rare and irregu...