Woodchat Shrike

[Duck_Pond]

Made the trip down to Somerset to see this pretty little shrike. A first for me and a pleasure to watch and photograph.


Woodchat Shrike by Pete Walkden, on Flickr

Tried for a few flight shots but it was so quick at launching off for insects, we kept missing it! Carl (Malvern Birder) got one of it in flight as it left a perch in a tree but that must have been luck

 

[twitcher]

Pete what can i say,thats a stunning image of a fantastic bird,thank's for sharing it... Nige.

 

[j9ksf]

Yes, it's a great capture.

 

[Martyn...]

Cracking image Pete ... I do like that the bird and butterfly are colour co-ordinated as well

 

[Duck_Pond]

Funny about the colours matching - there was a pair of blackcaps also feeding in and around the hedge, and the female (very similar coloured head) got pretty close to this shrike - maybe concerned that it was competition!

Soon backed off when it saw it, though compared to the great grey shrikes I have seen, this was quite small and of no threat I'd have thought.

 

[Straker]

A lovely bird and great shot ... well done.

 

[bledyn125]

when i see shots like this i think i should pack it in great shot


bleddyn

 

[lost]

A very nice capture indeed
Regards
Richard

 

[mex]

beautiful shot,nice one.

 

[RKC]

oh very nice have seen a few of this bird on flickr

 

[den]

Nice one Pete

 

[dougan]

Lovely image of a lovely little bird, well done!

 

[Effjay]

Stunning image, something to aspire to, well done!

 

[Siltyg]

A real beauty.

 

[Masked Bandit]

Great shot, great bird. I wonder if he was about to skewer the butterfly on one of the thorns? I would check this out again...he may be using it as a larder.

Philip

 

[architectfadi]

I do like that the bird and butterfly are colour co-ordinated as well

Cracking shot

 

[Duck_Pond]

Thanks all - didn't see it storing any of the insects, though it did perch out of sight frequently. It scoffed down the insects each time we watched it. Weirdly it pecked the body off the butterfly first, giving the impression it'd discard the wings, then ate them too!

 

[Cuddy]

Stunning birds, and a nice capture, ive seen a couple prior to my togging days, hope to get a chance to see another.

 

[staffsmartin]

Brilliant, well done