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 irregular visitor to the UK, typically seen during spring or autumn migration. Slightly smaller than the more common Great Grey Shrike, it has a distinctive black mask, pale grey upperparts, and a pinkish flush on the underparts during breeding season.

This shrike breeds in southeastern Europe and central Asia, favoring open farmland and steppe habitats with scattered trees or bushes. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering mainly in southern Africa. Sightings in the UK are usually of vagrants blown off course during migration, especially in late spring (May–June) or autumn (August–October).

This bird was showing very well at Winterton-on-Sea in September.  There was also a Red backed Shrike reported for a few days in the same area, but I didn’t manage to see it.  Awesome bird!