A Red-backed shrike has been spotted at Woodhill Farm House here in the Surrey Hills. This is exciting news as Red-backed shrikes are now effectively extinct as breeding birds in the UK, with only 200 or so sightings recorded as they pass through the UK in the Spring and Autumn. The RSPB have been notified as well as Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Red-backed shrikes are slightly larger but slimmer then a house sparrow and are unmistakable with a bluish-grey head, black mask over its eyes, a bright chestnut back and thick hooked black bill. It is often referred to as the ‘butcher bird’ as it impales its prey of beetles, lizards, bees and other insects on thorns or brambles.
The shrike was first seen in the field in front of Woodhill Farm house on June 26th. We haven’t been able to get a photo but I have found some video which shows it clearly. Also click on this link to see a report from the Spring Watch team who’s cameraman spotted and filmed one last year.
