Saturday 6 March 2010

Great Grey Shrike, Waddington Fell, Lancs - 6th March 2010.


An overdue twitch for the Waddington Fell/Grindleton adult Great Grey Shrike early afternoon was rewarded with good views of the bird on wires to the east of Slaidburn Rd, plus 2 Raven overhead.

A few hours with the wife in Clitheroe followed before nipping back up to the Fells with 50 minutes of light remaining and a hastily drawn up hit list of species to see within the timeframe: Great Grey Shrike, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Tawny Owl and Little Owl.

The list proved a little over ambitious in the remaining light, with four of the six species seen. The Shrike obliged on arrival at 17:50, still actively hunting from trees and fencing and was followed by a drive around the wider area which produced Tawny Owl, 1+ Short-eared Owl, Little Owl and a bonus Woodcock which flew past at close range as darkness fell.