Not Long Now -22nd August 2026

My favourite shrike, now present for 43 days, lured me out one more time to its favoured raggle taggle line of brambles and hawthorns skirting the ancient bridleway that crosses Eastleach Downs from east to west.

Louise, a colleague on our twitching WhatsApp group who lives on the outskirts of London had booked herself into a hotel at nearby Lechlade in order to pay homage to the shrike this weekend so we arranged to meet at the shrike and after a brief morning visit I went home for some lunch before  returning mid afternoon so the two of us could enjoy the shrike and take far too many photographs.

The shrike has, as far as I can see completed its moult and truly looks a picture. So very different from my first encounter when it was just commencing its moult and looking decidedly scruffy.

Its behaviour has also changed and it largely now confines itself to the hedgerow in the close vicinity of the bridleway and I suppose having become familiar with the constant stream of admirers, many like me returning multiple times to take advantage of this unique opportunity, has become rather confiding.

We gently and discreetly followed in its wake as it moved at regular intervals along the hedgerow, flying out to collect an assorted variety of prey from the ground and returning to the hedgerow to consume it.

As the afternoon wore on and the number of birders grew less, both us and the shrike gained confidence in each other as we progressed along the hedgeline towards the border with Oxfordshire. The shrike moved from various elevated perches, at one point in a bare elder being escorted by half a dozen Common Whitethroats and a female Redstart that seemed fascinated by its latent threat, like moths drawn to a flame but they had better be wary as the shrike would readily predate one of their number given the chance.

There were other birds milling around uneasily in the hedge too, their routine upset by the shrike's presence. A Lesser Whitethroat and a scruffy moulting male Yellowhammer emerged from the depths of the hedgerow as did half a dozen Corn Buntings.

Lesser Whitethroat

Yellowhammer

The shrike reached the hedge that marks the boundary between Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire and perched there, flying down onto the bridleway at intervals to seize anything that caught its eye.

 It appeared to favour this small area presumably because there was a good number of potential victims. 

A fellow birder then had a brainwave and said 

Why don't we get some grasshoppers and throw them on that flattened area of the bridleway to attract the shrike onto the ground as it seems to have taken a fancy to that particular spot

A search of the set-aside we were stood in soon revealed any number of grasshoppers.and grabbing one or two we returned to the bridleway and threw them onto the now much flattened grass. The shrike's phenomenal vision would have no difficulty in picking them out and it worked like a charm.We backed off and the shrike duly flew down to seize them. 

I never thought in my wildest dreams we would be feeding the shrike with grasshoppers we found in the set-aside.But here we were doing just that and thoroughly enjoying it and I like to think so was the shrike. Mind, you had to be quick with the camera as it did not hang about but just occasionally it lingered long enough to get a photo of it on the ground.

We tired of searching for grasshoppers and the shrike too seemed disinterested in co operating further and remained perched on top of the hedge but then to our utter amazement flew directly towards us to perch not more than four metres away, remaining there for a long spell above us, totally unperturbed by our presence. Unbelievable

A golden hour between 6 and 7pm had now arrived when the already pale gold of the harvested fields is enriched with a deeper shade of gold and the outline of trees and bushes softens with the declining harshness of the sun.This was my cue to leave. I could do no more, a surfeit of images on my memory card and an abundance of pleasant memories were mine to take away as I slowly walked back along the bridleway, ruminating on the shrike and its future

When will it depart now that its moult is complete? It surely cannot remain here during our winter but currently our weather now and for the foreseeable future is surely not too dissimilar to its normal wintering grounds in southeast Asia. Will the current endless sun and warmth persuade it to linger and only move when the weather changes which does not look remotely imminent.

If it does depart will it head south to southern Europe, even Africa or try and re-orientate to its normal wintering areas in southeast Asia? What do vagrant birds such as this do? Are they lost forever in a strange alien environment or do they attempt to return to their normal home? 

All these thoughts coursed through my mind as I walked slowly and contemplatively back to the quiet country lane where my car was parked. A wheatear bobbed up onto the drystone wall to my right,  its tail slowly moving down then up as it eyeballed me. A Spotted Flycatcher swooped after an insect high up in the trees by the lane. A Pheasant crowed.  

A Robin was singing quietly by the gamekeeper's lodge and chicken run as I gained the lane. A sure sign the season is slowly changing. 

It will not be long now or will it?

I Really must Stop 19th August 2026

After yesterday's dull cloudy weather the sun returned this afternoon but brought with it a strong westerly wind to keep the temperature on the low side.

I decided to return one more time to Eastleach not so much for the shrike but to try and bird the surrounding hedgerows and see what else I could find. Unlike my normal practice  where I go at around 6pm I arrived mid afternoon at 3pm to find quite a crowd looking for the shrike which I was informed had been missing for some time

The wind had increased since my arrival and was now gusting violently along the bridleway. Assuming any bird would seek shelter in the lee of the wind I scoped the long hedge that runs crossways across the bridleway and marks the border between Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

Sure enough I found that birds were indeed perched amongst the leaves and twigs on the leeside of the hedge, sheltered from the wind and enjoying the sun. A Corn Bunting, plump and fluffed up was sunk low on its perch, entirely out of the wind in a sun pocket formed by the leaves.Watching in my scope it closed its eye and drowsed.A picture of content. Scoping further along the hedge I came upon two Whinchats, a male and a juvenile, both perched low and out of the wind.The juvenile too was relaxed and making the most of the shelter.It stretched its wings and spread its tail revealing the symmetrical triangles of white at the tail base then began a long preening session.Soon it will be heading south so best to get everything in order before departure.

The shrike was still absent and people were wandering around at a loss what to do other than wait. Eventually it appeared on its favourite bramble clump and everyone was happy.I remained until 6.30 in the evening as the shrike was now never out of view and gave, yet again, some fabulous views and photo opportunities.There is nothing more I can add to what I have written before so instead here are some of the images I took of the shrike today.

My Shrike Obsession - 18th August 2026

I could not resist another visit to the Long tailed Shrike this evening.Yes I know but when if ever again will I have a truly mega rarity such as this so close to where I live and now, thoroughly settled in its temporary home and allowing such fabulous views? 

A brisk westerly wind was blowing along the bridleway this afternoon and the sun had been absent for most of the day. For once I felt underdressed in what has now become my summer plumage of tee shirt and shorts and the wind made me feel slightly cold.What a novelty after the constant heat and sunshine of the weeks prior

I found only two other birders present and they mmediately pointed out the shrike, perched on a branch in its favourite hawthorn tree. I was informed it had just eaten a mouse or vole which it had impaled on a thorn in the tree and torn to shreds, swallowing much of it but leaving some for later.

The shrike sat in the tree for the next ten minutes, plump and content, sheltered for the most part from the wind and no doubt digesting its recent meal. So far during its stay I have seen it capture and eat grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, bees, mice and voles and twice unsuccesfully attack a Dunnock.Others have reported lizards being captured too. 

The shrike turned on its perch, in the process showing the very attractive grey and russet colouring to its upperparts, now looking quite natty as its moult nears completion. A few wing and tail feathers need to grow to their full extent and then it will be all set to migrate if that is what it is likely to do.We will have to wait and see but it cannot be long now.

It slipped further into the tree and became invisible and none of us knew for certain where it had gone, had it left the tree entirely or was it still in the tree having decided to seek shelter further in the midst of an impenetrable tangle of thorns, leaves, berries and bramble?

For the next half an hour there was not a sign of it. Convinced it had maybe slipped out the other side of the tree un noticed we searched elsewhere but there was no sign of it. In our searching we discovered a trio of Whinchats, a Common Redstart and Corn Buntings, while a Raven cronked in the distance as it crossed the vast openness of now harvested fields forming a pale straw patchwork that stretched away in all directions, etched between the outlines of dark hedges and isolated woodland

Standing in this loneliness of sky and farmland I could not help but reflect on how my current situation was so different to the day the shrike was discovered and hundreds of birders came to crowd onto the usually deserted road and bridleway, bringing a friendly but chaotic atmosphere to this un -prepossessing location.

We waited for a considerable time for the shrike to re-appear and when it did it was to reveal it had been in the tree all along, hiding out of sight but now it was back perched just inside the canopy and tucking in to the rest of the mouse impaled on a thorn. I could clearly see red bloodied pieces of mouse flesh in its bill and what remained of the mouse's head impaled on the thorn.

The shrike fed for a  short while but soon desisted, wiping its bill carefully on the branch it was perched on. It flew to an exposed branch of the hawthorn to sit and await an opportunity to pounce on another victim. It again tried its luck in capturing a Dunnock that was scuffling along at the edge of the bridleway but as before was not quick enough. 

It flew back to perch in an elder and that is where we left it.The wind by now was quite cold and the light was fading fast so there was little point in prolonging my stay.

The shrike remained perched and alert awaiting one more chance to feed before nightfall came. .

Shrike Me Down - 13th August 2026

Unable to curb my continued enthusiasm for the Long tailed Shrike that is now into its fourth week of residence  on Eastleach Downs, I returned for another evening of watching and photographing this rare visitor and enjoying the rural surrounds it has chosen to frequent.

In fact I can say without doubt the pleasure of walking on Eastleach Downs is just as much an incentive to visit as is the shrike. It has revived all sorts of pleasant memories from when I worked in nearby Fairford and would come here to run along the lanes for miles to keep body and soul together.It has been a long time since I did that and to return has been akin to rediscovering a long lost friend. 

As per usual on my visits I  took the bridleway from the Oxfordshire end, planning to walk its relatively short length to where it joined another narrow road, this time in Gloucestershire.The day had been uncomfortably hot, in the high thirties and I left it until 6pm before arriving.The sun although still strong was slowly waning as was the heat haze and soon it would be gone with the light becoming soft rather than harsh.All the while a stiff but warm northwest breeze did its best to render the temperature tolerable.

Approaching the boundary between the two  counties about half way along the bridleway, marked by a drystone wall and a bramble hedge, instead of the customary gaggle of birders/photographers I saw precisely no one.There was no obvious sign of the shrike either so I was going to have to locate it by myself but I knew it was here as it had been reported throughout the day and I confess to rejoicing that I was here alone.

Eastleach Downs showing the hedge at the end of the field that marks the border
with Oxfordshire beyond and the bridleway and shrike favoured scattered bushes
on the extreme right of the picture

Reaching the Gloucestershire end of the bridleway I stopped to scan back along the now very much flattened bridleway track, its unwavering course downtrodden by the many feet belonging to almost exclusively birders, photographers and the plain curious, that have all made a pilgrimage to see this now nationally famous bird.

The shrike, born last year is now undergoing its annual moult into adult plumage but still has a way to go before its moult is complete but undoubtedly looks a lot more svelte than it did in days past.Its moult has been relatively rapid but some wing and tail feathers are still to reach their full length or be replaced so it will presumably remain for a while yet. Today it has been here for a total of 26 days but was first noticed 11 days earlier before briefly disappearing so I suppose one can say in total it has been around Eastleach Downs for 33 days.

For half an hour I saw little birdlife apart from a lone Whinchat perched high on a bramble spray, flying up to snatch passing insects and three juvenile Northern Wheatears perched on various of the stone walls.I positioned myself so I could scan down the length of the bridleway to the drystone wall marking the county boundary but I still could see nothing more apart from a couple of Common Whitethroats and some Goldfinches

Then on the edge of a hawthorn tree above the bridleway a  pale breast shone in the sun and there was the shrike, having appeared from I knew not where and now surveying the ground below for prey,

It perched there for quite a while but finally descended to the ground although unsuccessful in capturing whatever had caught its eye and returned to a wild briar, perching amongst the orange haws and shiny green leaves whilst being buffeted by the strong breeze causing it to brace itself on sturdy legs and employ its long tail as a counterbalance to emain secure on its thorny perch

The buffeting eventually proved too troublesome and it flew to a stricken elder that had seen better days, much of what remained of its brittle presence appearing to be a mesh of dead branches and twigs but providing just what the shrike required as a perch.  

From here it flew down to seize a grasshopper before returning with its victim to another briar to swallow it whole, after carefully removing its legs..

It then took up a vigil from the elder again but the troublesome wind continued to cause it some discomfort and despite adjusting its position it found the struggle unequal and moved elsewhere

 

The shrike moults its tail symmetrically, commencing with the central
pair of feathers then moving outwards.The above four images clearly
show the new black central tail feathers now almost fully grown and
the graduated feathers of its tail, the outer ones still to be renewed

It stuck to  its hunting modus operandi throughout, regularly flying down to seize something it had seen. On one occasion it attempted to tackle a Dunnock feeding on the ground but the smaller bird managed to flee before the shrike could pounce. Its eyesight must be phenomenal as it often flew  quite a distance by means of a long glide from an elevated perch to seize a grasshopper or beetle on the ground..

You can hardly call it a hedge but here are a couple of trees which the shrike
hunted from with the bridleway running below

Gently and cautiously I followed the shrike as it moved to various perches and it allowed me to get much closer than on previous visits. I like to think this was because, for a long period, I was entirely on my own, only being joined by one other birder after about an hour into my visit.

The shrike perched exclusively in the bushes and trees alongside the bridleway and caught its prey from the fringes of the adjacent setaside field in which I stood..

Half way through my visit it indulged in an extensive preening session, paying particular attention to its belly and flight feathers, its tail being still in active moult as are some of its wing feathers. Once satisfied all was well with its plumage it was back to business looking for sustenance

The golden hour arrived somewhere round 7pm with the sun casting a warm orange glow across the land and the shrike perched contentedly on the edge of a hawthorn tree. A calm seemed to descend and the world fell quiet.

A sudden commotion of anxious calling from two Kestrels behind me broke the spell, the cause of their concern being a female Sparrowhawk that crash landed in the hawthorn presumably in a failed attempt to seize the shrike. Not unnaturally this precipitated the shrike's rapid departure into the centre of the tree and out the other side, unseen by the Sparrowhawk. A close but thankfully non fatal encounter.

After the Sparrowhawk went on its way I waited some minutes but knew the shrike was unlikely to return and risk exposing itself, so reluctantly had to accept this evening's audience with the shrike had come to a close and made my way back along the bridleway to my car.

My now customary pint of cider and two packets of plain crisps in The Fox at Great Barrington brought the day to a pleasant conclusion..

I have a feeling this will only end once the shrike departs.