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"Mystery grey shrike on the isle of Man" (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter CJW
- Start date
Binocularface
You've all got one...............!
CJW, I have had another look at Peteee's rear shot of the shrike and I am not sure I can see your point!
There appears to be some pale edging to some of the tertials but I would expect this to be more extensive in 'pallidirostris' showing pale edges to all the tertials giving a contrasting black and white appearence.
It is difficult to identify such a difficult bird from images alone, I would not like to attempt identification directly on this one!
Regards
Tristan
There appears to be some pale edging to some of the tertials but I would expect this to be more extensive in 'pallidirostris' showing pale edges to all the tertials giving a contrasting black and white appearence.
It is difficult to identify such a difficult bird from images alone, I would not like to attempt identification directly on this one!
Regards
Tristan
CJW
Hit-and-run WUM
All, thanks for your comments.
I have, this morning, received two Emails (to go with the dozens sent during the week) from two very eminent birders regarding this bird. It appears that I was right all along (according to these people) and that the bird is indeed a Southern Grey Shrike (of the race pallidirostris, also called Steppe Grey Shrike).
You have no idea how pleased Iam!
A new bird for me AND the Isle of Man.
I have, this morning, received two Emails (to go with the dozens sent during the week) from two very eminent birders regarding this bird. It appears that I was right all along (according to these people) and that the bird is indeed a Southern Grey Shrike (of the race pallidirostris, also called Steppe Grey Shrike).
You have no idea how pleased Iam!
A new bird for me AND the Isle of Man.
Yes, nice bird and good perseverance to nail the ID.
Of course you do realise that now people from the mainland are going to twitch it -advertising flights on birdguides at this very minute, £99 only-and this in turn will lead to the 'escaped from a Russian fishermans cage (where they feed it on baby Black Larks) theory'.
Of course you do realise that now people from the mainland are going to twitch it -advertising flights on birdguides at this very minute, £99 only-and this in turn will lead to the 'escaped from a Russian fishermans cage (where they feed it on baby Black Larks) theory'.
Manxman
Member
Talking of visiting birders...
If anyone does have the pleasure of twitching this bird can we ask you to be mindful that the area is an ASSI containing several rare plant/insect/reptile species not to mention several species of ground nesting birds.
As such the land owners (IOM Government Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry) would appreciate people keeping to the main tracks/footpaths and not walking over the heath.
This will not cause a problem as far as viewing the bird is concerned as its favoured perch is on top of the Gorse bushes to the right of the track c.100m before the visitor centre.
The sight is unlikely to be manned by wardens but if the request is seen to be ignored then access restrictions may be put in place.
Good Luck!
If anyone does have the pleasure of twitching this bird can we ask you to be mindful that the area is an ASSI containing several rare plant/insect/reptile species not to mention several species of ground nesting birds.
As such the land owners (IOM Government Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry) would appreciate people keeping to the main tracks/footpaths and not walking over the heath.
This will not cause a problem as far as viewing the bird is concerned as its favoured perch is on top of the Gorse bushes to the right of the track c.100m before the visitor centre.
The sight is unlikely to be manned by wardens but if the request is seen to be ignored then access restrictions may be put in place.
Good Luck!
Hi CJW,
"Excellent Nick-on, touche! And what makes it even funnier is that they won't be able to put it on their British Lists!!!!"
Oh WON'T they?Why then did so many British twitchers come over for the White-crowned Sparrow,then?;-)
Who were the two birders?(leave me know by PRIVATE MESSAGE if you want)
Have NO experience of the grey shrikes,so didn't comment myself:know that meridionalis can show dark lores in summer,but would have thought that some pink would be visible on the bill.
Now,if anyone wants a Woodchat Shrike assigned to race...;-)
Harry H
"Excellent Nick-on, touche! And what makes it even funnier is that they won't be able to put it on their British Lists!!!!"
Oh WON'T they?Why then did so many British twitchers come over for the White-crowned Sparrow,then?;-)
Who were the two birders?(leave me know by PRIVATE MESSAGE if you want)
Have NO experience of the grey shrikes,so didn't comment myself:know that meridionalis can show dark lores in summer,but would have thought that some pink would be visible on the bill.
Now,if anyone wants a Woodchat Shrike assigned to race...;-)
Harry H
Manxman
Member
I think that the finder of the bird has been misinterpreted chaps...
It was a memebr of the local birdwatching society who found the bird and identified it as a Great Grey Shrike. He then rang a local bird charity (Manx Bird Atlas) who then informed the 'serious' birding fraternity after confirming the bird as being a 'Great Grey'...
There then followed the research by several people (myself and CJW included) before confident ID was made (theres still no literature that I've found to back up that fact that pallidirostris shows black bill and lores - although I'm quite happy that it is a pallidirostris).
Of course CJW was going to point this out I'm sure...
It was a memebr of the local birdwatching society who found the bird and identified it as a Great Grey Shrike. He then rang a local bird charity (Manx Bird Atlas) who then informed the 'serious' birding fraternity after confirming the bird as being a 'Great Grey'...
There then followed the research by several people (myself and CJW included) before confident ID was made (theres still no literature that I've found to back up that fact that pallidirostris shows black bill and lores - although I'm quite happy that it is a pallidirostris).
Of course CJW was going to point this out I'm sure...
Last edited:
stevo
Well-known member
Hi Steve
The reason we in the UK can`t tick this Shrike is because the IOM isn`t included on the official British list!! a stupid scenario? i`d be interested to hear other peoples views.If my memory serves me right there was a Calandra Lark on the IOM & that could not be ticked either.
The reason we in the UK can`t tick this Shrike is because the IOM isn`t included on the official British list!! a stupid scenario? i`d be interested to hear other peoples views.If my memory serves me right there was a Calandra Lark on the IOM & that could not be ticked either.
