[derekg]

I managed to see it for a brief 2 minutes at about 15.30 this afternoon.

It was showing just north of the river and I was viewing it from the south side of the river just after the bridge after the boardwalk.

I wasn't able to get any photographs to put on my blog so if anyone can let me have one I would be greatful.


Derek

[TomSmith]

Originally Posted by derekg

I managed to see it for a brief 2 minutes at about 15.30 this afternoon.

It was showing just north of the river and I was viewing it from the south side of the river just after the bridge after the boardwalk.

I wasn't able to get any photographs to put on my blog so if anyone can let me have one I would be greatful.


Derek

We must have overlapped - I was the youngish birder with the old-school green Optolyth who left at about 3.30. Did you see it again after I went, or was that the last sighting today?

[Dryocopus]

Ear out for Water Pipit - they are fun.
As to the RNP well we are local so would love you all to take them away with you - I am sure the north would welcome them with open arms - please- pretty please!

[Dryocopus]

Originally Posted by derekg

I managed to see it for a brief 2 minutes at about 15.30 this afternoon.

It was showing just north of the river and I was viewing it from the south side of the river just after the bridge after the boardwalk.

I wasn't able to get any photographs to put on my blog so if anyone can let me have one I would be greatful.


Derek

Well I am glad you saw the bird - but it is better to be at the site as early as possible as it does tend to disappear for a long time - best early am - 8.30

it does show but early worm and all that!

[derekg]

Originally Posted by TomSmith

We must have overlapped - I was the youngish birder with the old-school green Optolyth who left at about 3.30. Did you see it again after I went, or was that the last sighting today?

No I stayed around looking for it until about 16.00 but it didn't show again, I might give it a go again in the morning if I have time.

Derek

[derekg]

Originally Posted by Dryocopus

Ear out for Water Pipit - they are fun.
As to the RNP well we are local so would love you all to take them away with you - I am sure the north would welcome them with open arms - please- pretty please!

There are a few RNP at Lytham at the moment, not sure if they are taking hold up there but I'm sure as soon the northern winter sets in they will be back down south.

Derek

[Sean F]

Originally Posted by TomSmith

We must have overlapped - I was the youngish birder with the old-school green Optolyth who left at about 3.30. Did you see it again after I went, or was that the last sighting today?

And I was the other birder there Tom, the one who spotted it!

Originally Posted by derekg

I managed to see it for a brief 2 minutes at about 15.30 this afternoon.

It was showing just north of the river and I was viewing it from the south side of the river just after the bridge after the boardwalk.

I wasn't able to get any photographs to put on my blog so if anyone can let me have one I would be greatful.


Derek

It was nice to meet you Derek. Sorry I dashed off, but I was eager to avoid the rush-hour traffic!

Sean

[derekg]

Nice to have met you both Sean and Tom, no problem with you clearing off I know what the traffics like around there.

[Paul Thomas]

Can any one tell me where the best place to see this Brown Shrike is? I've never been to Staines Moor before, and haven't a clue where to look. Is there likely to a group of birders that might give a clue as to whereabouts, or has the initial interest now subsided? I'd be really grateful for any advice. Thanks Paul

[hollis_f]

Originally Posted by Paul Thomas

Can any one tell me where the best place to see this Brown Shrike is? I've never been to Staines Moor before, and haven't a clue where to look. Is there likely to a group of birders that might give a clue as to whereabouts, or has the initial interest now subsided? I'd be really grateful for any advice. Thanks Paul

See post #174 in this thread.

When I went two weeks ago there were five people there already, but 30 minutes later it was just me. If there aren't any others there - set your gear up about 10-20m before the concrete bridge and look north, over the river. The bird will be somewhere in the bushes you can see from there, you may need to be patient though. Please don't be tempted to cross the bridge and wander around as they're trying to keep disturbance to a minimum.

[Thing]

Originally Posted by derekg

I managed to see it for a brief 2 minutes at about 15.30 this afternoon.

It was showing just north of the river and I was viewing it from the south side of the river just after the bridge after the boardwalk.

I wasn't able to get any photographs to put on my blog so if anyone can let me have one I would be greatful.


Derek

You are more than welcome to use the high quality image of the bird on my blog here

[Dryocopus]

Originally Posted by Thing

You are more than welcome to use the high quality image of the bird on my blog here

Thing- even I have a better image than that one- and I usually get record blurs if I am lucky!
Glad Mrs Thing enjoyed her visit!


Anyone thinking of going - and there are still people visiting the site for the first time. WEAR WELLIES WITH A GOOD TREAD the path is now vvvmuddy and slippy and there is a big puddle just as you get to the broadwalk,(probably no problems to you if you are over 6 foot or a fit young person!) muddy water went over the top of my feet (welly wearing -so cool) I nearly wore the boots so would have been soaked.

Yesterday the Shrike was showing well around 12.30 for about an hour (obviously still feeding and flitting about) then it went for its usual flyabout and we had fun trying to relocate it.

Be patient and stay south of the river - and bring a scope if you have one.

[Thing]

Originally Posted by Dryocopus

Thing- even I have a better image than that one- and I usually get record blurs if I am lucky!
Glad Mrs Thing enjoyed her visit!

Perhaps then, I have the worst image of the Shrike in the country!? It may be bad, but it's mine!

[nickyb]

I went again yesterday, on-site from 10.30am, the bird showed well until I departed although a little distantly, I echo Dryocopus advice as the path is now very muddy and slippery, but well worth the effort, I was the only birder there when I arrived, but there was as steady trickle of people arriving during my visit, so hopefully there will be someone on-site for you Paul to point you in the right direction. I also had a Water Pipit fly over whilst I was there!

www.freewebs.com/widerscoped

[derekg]

Originally Posted by Thing

Perhaps then, I have the worst image of the Shrike in the country!? It may be bad, but it's mine!

Thanks for the offer but already have one. My photo is worse than yours (check my blog) I took it through my scope with my mobile which can give reasonable results but not this time and the shrike had moved on by the time I got my camera out, (lesson already learnt!!)

Derek

[John Fordham]

Originally Posted by nickyb

I echo Dryocopus advice as the path is now very muddy and slippery

As an alternative for parking, can park in first layby on A30 when coming off the M25 - normally has a few lorries in it. From there walk back 50yds over bridge over river and then duck under fence to get on to Moor. Then follow river, crossing over it at first bridge (not the second - that's the shrike bridge), to get to observation point. Did this today and has two advantages - no problem at all with walking and can watch out for Water Pipits en route.

Shrike showing very well this afternoon, in bushes just the other side of the river.

[htcdude]

Very very muddy indeed!

I was their this morning and although I didn't see it, it was around, seen by 2 others. Unfortunately I have to work so can't hang around too long.

Can any one tell me where the best place to see this Brown Shrike is? I've never been to Staines Moor before, and haven't a clue where to look. Is there likely to a group of birders that might give a clue as to whereabouts, or has the initial interest now subsided? I'd be really grateful for any advice. Thanks Paul

There's likely to be a local guy called Bob down there from 6ish onwards! I met him again this morning, at 8 we saw one other person stay for 10mins, then two or three others turned up just after.

Park on Hithermoor Road, walk down the path alongside the King George VI Reservoir (as if you were walking anti-clockwise round it). After 500 metres or so you'll see a kissing gate on your right. Through that all the way down and you'll end up on the moor. By the reed bed in the river is a good place to stand.

Nige

[htcdude]

Ah also I saw 3 Water Pipits there this morning very good views along the river by the Willow Tree

[Paul Thomas]

Thank you to everyone who has given me advice on finding this shrike. I'll have a look tomorrow! Thanks Paul

[Sean F]

Originally Posted by htcdude

There's likely to be a local guy called Bob down there from 6ish onwards! I met him again this morning, at 8 we saw one other person stay for 10mins, then two or three others turned up just after.

Nige

Bob is a dedicated local patch watcher for the Moor, and the nearby Staines Reserviors. He goes there most days. Although he was actually a day into a week in Norfolk with me when the news broke! You should have seen his face everyday as he waited for news from his mates!

Luckily for him (and me!) there was no need to worry. What a brilliantly accommadating bird.

Sean

[Dryocopus]

Originally Posted by Sean F

Bob is a dedicated local patch watcher for the Moor, and the nearby Staines Reserviors. He goes there most days. Although he was actually a day into a week in Norfolk with me when the news broke! You should have seen his face everyday as he waited for news from his mates!

Luckily for him (and me!) there was no need to worry. What a brilliantly accommadating bird.

Sean

Bob is a great patch watcher, I see him if I go early enough!
I was in Shetland when the news came through, first the Red-backed shrike and I thought well never mind, that evening I was wondering if it might be a mis id (not having seen anything, just wondered) - We had just landed on Fair Isle on the Monday afternoon, gone up to the top of the hill with the satellites and my pager said Brown Shrike! I couldn't believe it!
I think there were a few of us twitching every now and then (over UK) - but I had to wait to go on line each day as my pager didn't work again, until I was back on Mainland.

Mind after the fortnight I had in Shetland it was a lovely bird to return to.

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Sean F

Bob is a dedicated local patch watcher for the Moor, and the nearby Staines Reserviors. He goes there most days. Although he was actually a day into a week in Norfolk with me when the news broke! You should have seen his face everyday as he waited for news from his mates!

Luckily for him (and me!) there was no need to worry. What a brilliantly accommadating bird.

Sean

I know he's brilliant. First time I ever over the reservoirs early summer he was very keen to tell me the history of birds there and is always happy to let me use his scope etc. Top guy he is :-) I'm down there once a week and he's always willing to walk round the moors :-)

[Clive Watson]

Originally Posted by John Fordham

As an alternative for parking, can park in first layby on A30 when coming off the M25 - normally has a few lorries in it. From there walk back 50yds over bridge over river and then duck under fence to get on to Moor. Then follow river, crossing over it at first bridge (not the second - that's the shrike bridge), to get to observation point. Did this today and has two advantages - no problem at all with walking and can watch out for Water Pipits en route.

I did this today and it is indeed easier walking, but at 11:50 the shrike decided to fly away from its normal area and took up residence further up the path, just north of the burnt-out car (this is Staines, after all), so I got very muddy anyway. As far as I know it's not done that before, maybe it is moving around more before getting ready to leave? If it stays in that area, then the wellies will definitely be needed.

Also 2 Water Pipits (flushed by a dog walker), Kingfisher, Stonechat and Water Rail (heard).

[Jonny Crossbill]

Superb views of the Brown Shrike this morning, even managed the attached shot (mobile/scope bodged set up).

Very obliging bird was waiting for us when we arrived and showed very close constantly on the look out & flicking its tail. Also saw it eat a wasp and cough up something (berry seeds I think!).

Good supporting cast with Stonechat, Kes & Bullfinch

Is the bird set for the winter then? Staines is the new S-Asia!

[Sean F]

Originally Posted by Jonny Crossbill

Is the bird set for the winter then? Staines is the new S-Asia!

I think thats very doubtful.

I can't believe there will be enough large-ish insects to sustain a bird like that through the mid-winter with frosts and the like. Then again, if it really is eating berries, then maybe it can survive!

Do Shrikes ever eat anything other than animal matter?

Sean