Woodcaht Shrike at Kennard Moor

[wendelio]

These photos, taken at about 1pm on 5/8/04, were the best I could manage through bad heat haze on a hot day!
Coolpix995 + Opticron HR66ed

[scampo]

Lovely bird - lucky you, eh? I've seen one years ago in Greece, but never in the UK. Their diet is interesting for a smallish bird - warblers and even swallows, on occasion.

[wendelio]

Lovely bird - luck you, eh? I've seen one years ago in Greece, but never in the UK. Their diet is interesting for a smallish bird - warblers and even swallows, on occasion.


I had the opportunity to go back to Kennard Moor today. The place seems like a great site. Aside from the shrike which was performing well again, I had Little owls, Winchats and Stonechats, numerous Buzzards, Kestrels and Herons, a pair of Ravens on the wing and more Goldfinches and Linnets than you could shake the proverbial stick at. (Oh, and a stoat!)

All this and only me and the cattle to see it. In the three hours I was there I only saw one local and a couple of the farmer's sons moving the cows about.

I am surprised that Woodchat shrikes take birds. My field guide says, vaguely, 'mostly insects' and they look too cute to be killers. (insects don't count :-) I did see it have a half hearted dart at a goldfinch but on the whole this bird seemed happy enough taking insects every few minutes. There were certainly plenty about!

[scampo]

Where is Kennard Moor, by the way - I forgot to ask?

[uncle bulgaria]

Well done on the pictures. I saw my first woodchat shrikes only two weeks ago in Bulgaria. Usual stuff though, no camera with me. never mind next time. There was a a family of them in a plum orchard and there were grey shrikes and red backed all in the same area. Lucky you to get them in the UK.

[Andrew]

Kennard Moor is just south of Glastonbury.

I saw the bird as well and it was a wonderful arrangement. Pull into a mown verge and scope the bird from there. Cracking views too but judging by your picture it must have come closer to you as I would have only got poor hazy pictures. So well done on those pictures and the other birds. Some other birders have seen Long-eared Owls in the area too.

[scampo]

Sounds a fantastic place for birding and enjoying Mother Nature.

[wendelio]

This one was the pick of my attempts on the 6th.
Greater distance but less haze and a much better pose.

[kingfisher]

Well done on getting some pics through the heat haze, i went there one morning a few weeks ago to see the Shrike......lovely bird.

[keithyed]

Wow that 3rd pic is a great shot
Nice for the album
keith