Great Grey Shrike at Comberton, Cambridgeshire. 28th January 2022

I went to see this same bird late in 2021 and it subsequently moved on. However, it was reported again and I took the opportunity to visit in the hope for some better shots than before. Typically I set off in sunshine but by the time I arrived the cloud had rolled in. I spotted the bird perched up south of the track but it was probably 500m distant and then flew off. Not deterred, I headed off through a small wood to get closer, and bumped into some other birders who were scanning the hedgerows. Still no luck, but I moved further along and relocated the bird perched up high. Still distant, as this cropped shot shows.

After coughing up a pellet it flew to the right and was lost to view, but by moving slowly we discovered it had perched up much closer and as we were fairly well hidden had the chance for some shots.

What a superb bird to see! Sadly we are probably getting fewer each year as with warmer Winters they have less need to migrate from the continent.