Bygone birding: unscrupulous birder caught Great Grey Shrike after baiting trap with a mouse

                                                                    

Two shrews and a Blue Tit fall victim to a Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrikes used to be rare but regular winter visitors to Britain, but, in recent years, sightings have become far fewer. As a result, many birders have this week made the visit to Fillingham, near Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire where one has been providing good views. This is the intriguing description of the species by  John Gould in his masterpiece, The Birds of Great Britain, published in 1873.

THOSE of my readers who have travelled over the long straight roads of Germany and France before the days of the Eisenbahn and  Chemin de fer must have frequently seen a Magpie-looking bird perched on an exposed branch of a mountain-ash, an apple or a walnut-tree.

Or, should their eyes have scanned the open flat fields, the would have observed such a bird sitting upright on a twig or small bush and have remarked that, as they approached, it flew off to the next tree, and, as they proceeded along the interminable straight road, it flitted before them for perhaps a mile, and then, taking to the open, abruptly turned back again to the point whence it started. 

This was the Great Grey Shrike, a solitary bird which is neither common nor scarce, and which, if not intruded upon, remains in the same district, and almost confines itself to the same branch for days together. 

Hence it sallies forth to capture any passing insect, mouse or shrew, or to make a foray among the branches of the neighbouring trees in pursuit of tits or any other small birds it can master. 

While perched, the solitary 'butcherbird' jerks its tail from side to side, sometimes uttering its own harsh cry, at others obscurely imitating the notes of other birds.

Along the thorny-hedge-bordered roads of this country, as along the lengthened lines of apple-trees seen on the continent, the bird exhibits the same habits and actions, which, while they are common to it and the other shrikes, are both peculiar and different from those of all other small birds. 

Frequently does the Great Grey Shrike take up its abode in the low trees of a copse, a cluster of thorns, an open field or in the midst of a pleasure-ground, and there remain, if unmolested, until nature prompts it to seek countries better suited for breeding in. 

The Duke of Argyll informs me that one took up a conspicuous position in the pleasure-grounds of his seat at Inverary, and, as usual, became the terror of all the small birds therein.

I do not venture to affirm that this bird never breeds in the British Islands, but I believe that many of the nests brought to the metropolis as those of this species are really not so.

Few, indeed, are the authentic instances of its passing the summer and breeding with us, and it must therefore, in my opinion, be regarded as an occasional visitor rather than as a stationary species.

Still, there is not a district in the three kingdoms that has not at one time or another been favoured with its presence. 

Formerly it was considered to be identical with the Lanius borealis of America, but this is not, I believe, correct.

Naturalists now consider the area of its range to be limited to the north and north-western portions of Europe, Morocco, and Algeria.

In India it is certainly not found, its place being there supplied by the Lanius lahioro. 

Considerable difference occurs in the colouring of Norwegian, French and Swiss examples.

The latter are much lighter in the general tone of colour, and have the white patch on the scapularies much more distinct than the others.

 On the other hand, Lapland specimens, of which I have three  now before me, are particularly dark in their colouring. 

No one, however, hasventured to regard them as two species, and I shall content myself with having pointed out their differences.

"This species," says Macgillivray, "preys upon insects of various kinds, frogs, lizards, small birds and quadropeds which, after killing them by repeated blows of its bill, generally inflicted upon the head, it affixes to a thorn or jams into the fork of a branch that it may be enabled to tear them up into small morsels. 

Sometimes, however, it stands upon its prey, like a Hawk, keeping it down with its feet while it breaks it up and not bestowing much care in clearing it of the hair or feathers, which, with the undigested parts of insects, it afterwards ejects in pellets. 

What remains after it is satisfied it hangs up, and this habit, together with its slaughtering-propensity, has obtained for it the not inappropriate name of 'butcherbird'.

Selecting a station on a twig or decayed branch, it sallies forth in pursuit of insects which happen to pass near; and it is probably from its remaining so perched for a long time that it has obtained the name of 'excubitor', or 'the sentinel'

Another explanation for this appellation has reference to its being employed on the continent in trapping hawks, when, being fastened to the ground, it apprises the falconer, by its loud screams, of the approach of a bird. 

Its flight is undulating or performed in a waving line, and, when searching for prey, it occasionally hovers in the manner of a hawk.

Although it is generally represented as carrying its prey in its bill, it appears that it sometimes employs its feet for that purpose

Its ordinary notes resemble the syllables twee, wee, pronounced loudly and sharply, and, in anger, it screams like a hawk.

However, it emits various sounds and is said to imitate the notes and cries of many of the smaller birds for the purpose of attracting them.

 On the continent it places its nest, which is very large, in the fork of a branch at a considerable height from the ground, forming it of moss and stems of dry grass and lining it with wool and hair. 

The eggs are from five to eight in number, of a greyish-white, marked toward tbe larger end with spots of reddish-brown and greyish-purple.

They defend their nest against crows and hawks with admirable courage and skill, so as to put to flight birds possessed of ten times their strength.

Although individuals have been found with us at all times of the year, it has not been observed to breed in this country. 

It is not uncommon in France where it remains all the year, generally keeping to the woods in summer and autumn, but approaching inhabited places in winter, and thus appearing to he more numerous at that season. 

It is found as far south as Spain and Italy, and extends northward to Sweden, Russia, Norway, and Lapland, but leaves those countries at the approach of winter. 

In England, its migrations are very irregular. 

It has been killed in Suffolk in January, April, May and July; in Norfolk in the autumn ; and one frequented a thick thorn hedge near Mr. Hoy’s house at Higham, in December, but was so shy, that it could not be approached within gunshot. 

On examining the hedge, Mr. Hoy found three frogs and as many mice, spitted on the thorns. 

He therefore set six very small steel traps, each baited with a mouse. On the following day two of the traps were found sprung, and the bait gone. 

By watching in concealment, Mr. Hoy soon afterwards observed the shrike dart down to a bait perpendicularly, but not quick enough to escape, as it was caught hy two of its toes. 

The bird was carried alive to the house and placed in a room in which a thorn bush was fixed, and some mice given to it.

It was observed, through a hole, to spit the mouse upon a thorn with the greatest quickness and adroitness.

A writer in the  Naturalist  says: "I can testify to the power assigned to this bird by some naturalists of varying its notes, or rather imitating those of other birds. 

"Not exactly, indeed; for my first acquaintance with the 'butcherbird' was occasioned by my hearing notes not entirely familiar to me, though much resembling those of the Stonechat. 

"Following the sound, I soon discovered the utterer, and, while listening, to my surprise, the original notes were discarded and others adopted of a softer and more melodious character, never, however, prolonged to anything like a continuous song. 

"Its grave ash-coloured garb, with its peculiar black patch on the cheek, soon convinced me that my unknown friend was the 'butcherbird', that petty tyrant of its neighbourhood, carrying on incessant warfare and wanton waste of life amongst the small fry of the Passerine order, and whose warcry was wont to put all minor warblers to flight."

First visit to Northern Ireland for BBC-TV's Winterwatch team on four evenings next week

                                 

The BBC team will be looking out for Brent Geese, Curlew and other wetland birds on the shores of Strangford Lough ( photo: Christopher Heaney/ National Trust Images)

REDWINGS, Long-eared Owls, Linnets, Reed Buntings and wetland bird species are sure  to feature in the 14th series of  BBC TV's Winterwatch, starting next week.

Filming is set to  take place in and around a National Trust property, Mount Stewart, which lies on the banks of Stranford Lough, Britain's largest sea inlet in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Says Toby Edwards, who is the ranger at Mount Stewart: “Our woodlands include native red squirrels, and one of our rarest mammals, the pine marten. 

"We also have badgers, Long-eared Owls and Barn Owls, a rare species in Northern Ireland

"I am looking forward to telling some of the amazing wildlife stories of recovery and restoration that we’ve been working on over the past 10 years on this biodiverse working landscape."

The first episode of Winterwatch is on BBC-2 at 7 pm on Tuesday January 20, with further episodes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the same week.

                                 

The trusty team of Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will be hosting the programme (photo: BBC/ Jo Charlesworth)

It's the wrong species of raptor! Casting blunder by producers of award-winning movie

                                         

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal share a tender moment in the film

THERE have been awards this week for the film, Hamnet, set in Shakespearean England, but birders who see it will not be best impressed by some of the sequences.

These involve the use of a Harris Hawk in the falconry scenes.

This is an American species that would have been unknown in 16th Century England.

The bird in the film is 'Aztec' which was loaned to the film's producers by the Wye Falconry Centre where it was trained.

The centre also has in its charge native species such as Peregrine Falcon and Goshawk - so why was not one of these used instead? 

                                

A casting mistake by the film's producers - 'Aztec' the Harris Hawk 

Celebrity birders - including Chris Packham, Felicity Kendal and Alan Titchmarsh - name their favourite birds

                                     

Sparrowhawk - 'exquisite little terminator' according to Chris Packham

CELEBRITY naturalist Chris Packham has revealed his favourite bird.

In a feature compiled by Ria Higgins for a New Year edition of The Daily Telegraph, he singled out the Sparrowhawk.

 "A whish, a whoosh… and gone," he says. " In all my life I will never see enough of these exquisite little terminators."

In the same article, Felicity Kendal, who famously starred in the BBC-TV sitcom, The Good Life, plumps for the Jay - not least because they have begun visiting her patio garden in Chelsea.

"I’d never seen these stunning birds before,"she enthuses. "It was magical. Birds are gifts. To see them is something that money can’t buy."

Meanwhile, Deborah Meaden of the BBC TV show, The Dragons'  Den, plumps for the Snipe, Alan Titchmarsh for the Robin and broadcaster Kate Humble for the Bewick's Swan, a species which, in winter,  she sees  alongside  the Seven Estuary near where she lives.

Says she: "Smaller than our resident Mute Swans and lacking their air of haughty superiority, they have the appearance of a sweetly elegant Jane Austen heroine."                                  

Robin - 'the gardener's friend'

Jay - 'to see them is something money can't buy'

Bygone birding: George Orwell's ornithological observations in Myanmar (formerly Burma)

                             

Published in 1934, George Orwell's first novel is full of vivid ornithological flourishes.  After a long illness, the author died, aged 46, 76 years ago this month

         

SINCE his boyhood in Southwold, Suffolk, George Orwell, author of Animal Farm and 1984, had been an enthusiastic naturalist. 

His interest in nature and wildlife has largely been overlooked in the many accounts of his life and times, but it frequently flashes to the fore in his writing.

This is perhaps no more so than in his  first novel, Burmese Days, published in 1934, which is based on his experiences as a police officer in Burma (now known as Myanmar).

The protagonist is John Flory, a British timber merchant who becomes increasingly disillusioned with the British Empire and its oppressive rule over the Burmese people.

Added texture to the narrative comes with the arrival of another character, Elizabeth Lackersteen, with whom Flory is to become romantically involved. 

Orwell's writing about birds is often vivid as when he likens the sound of  a flock of birds high in the trees, to  a "bubbling noise like pots boiling".

He continues: "A flock of Green Pigeons was up there, eating the berries. 

"Flory gazed up into the great green dome of the tree, trying to distinguish the birds.

"They were invisible, they matched the leaves so perfectly, and yet the whole tree was alive with them, shimmering, as though the ghosts of birds were shaking it. 

"Then a single green pigeon fluttered down and perched on a lower branch. 

"It did not know that it was being watched. 

"It was a tender thing, smaller than a tame dove, with jade-green back as smooth as velvet, and neck and breast of iridescent colours. Its legs were like the pink wax that dentists use. 

"The pigeon rocked itself backwards and forwards on the bough, swelling out its breast feathers and laying its coralline beak upon them." 

This is ornithological writing of the highest order - detailed, sensitive, imaginative  and respectful. It could tranlate into a poem.

But, in a sudden, painful jolt, Flory is snapped out of his sense of wonder, and his mood turns to one of poignant anguish.  

"A pang went through Flory. Alone, alone, the bitterness of being alone! 

"So often like this, in lonely places in the forest, he would come upon something - bird, flower, tree - beautiful beyond all words, if there had been a soul with whom to share it. 

"Beauty is meaningless until it is shared. If he had one person, just one, to halve his loneliness! 

"Suddenly the pigeon saw the man below, sprang into the air and dashed away swift as a bullet, with a rattle of wings." 

More is to follow - and again it is the sound of birds that precedes the sight of them.

"Through July and August, there was hardly a pause in the rain. 

"Then one night, high overhead, one heard a squawking of invisible birds - the Snipe were flying southward from Central Asia. 

"It was the beginning of the short winter when Upper Burma seemed haunted by the ghost of England. 

"Wild flowers sprang into bloom everywhere, not quite the same as the English ones, but very like them - honeysuckle in thick bushes, field roses smelling of pear drops, even violets in dark places of the forest. 

"The sun circled low in the sky, and the nights and early mornings were bitterly cold, with white mists that poured through the valleys like the steam of enormous kettles. 

"There were Snipe in countless myriads and wild geese in flocks that rose with a roar like a goods train crossing an iron bridge."

What extraordinarily imaginative writing! 

Later there are references to "flights of small, low-flying Brown Doves chasing one another to and fro and to Bee-eaters, emerald-green, curvetted like slow Swallows", Teal in the marshes and Hornbills in the peepul trees.

Then comes a "wonderful" bird that , sadly, goes unidentified - the one that got away.

What might it be?  "A  little bigger than a thrush, with grey wings, body of blazing scarlet and a dipping flight."

Burmese Days was written at a time when, in Britain, shooting birds of all shapes and sizes had become  largely unacceptable,  but it was still part of the way of life in her colonies, Burma being no exception.

This is recorded in another vividly described passage which finds Flory with newly-arrived Elizabeth, his dog, Flo and a Burmese native named Ko S’la.

 "A flight of Green Pigeons were dashing towards them at incredible speed, forty yards up. They were like a handful of catapulted stones whirling through the sky. 

"Elizabeth was helpless with excitement. 

"For a moment she could not move, then she flung her barrel into the air, somewhere in the direction of the birds, and tugged violently at the trigger. 

"Nothing happened - she was pulling at the trigger-guard. 

"Just as the birds passed overhead she found the triggers and pulled both of them simultaneously. There was a deafening roar and she was thrown backwards at pace with her collar-bone almost broken. 

"She had fired thirty yards behind the birds. 

"At the same moment she saw Flory turn and level his gun. Two of the pigeons, suddenly checked in their flight, swirled over and dropped to the ground like arrows. 

"Ko S’la yelled, and he and Flo raced after them. 

"'Look out!’ said Flory, 'here’s an Imperial Pigeon. Let’s have him!' 

"A large heavy bird, with flight much slower than the others, was flapping overhead. 

"Elizabeth did not care to fire after her previous failure. She watched Flory thrust a cartridge into the breech and raise his gun, and the white plume of smoke leapt up from the muzzle. 

"The bird planed heavily down, his wing broken. 

"Flo and Ko S’la came running excitedly up, Flo with the big Imperial Pigeon in her mouth, and Ko S’la grinning and producing two green pigeons from his Kachin bag. 

"Flory took one of the little green corpses to show to Elizabeth. 

"'Look at it. Aren’t they lovely things? The most beautiful bird in Asia.'

 "Elizabeth touched its smooth feathers with her finger-tip. It filled her with bitter envy, because she had not shot it. And yet it was curious, but she felt almost an adoration for Flory now that she had seen how he could shoot. 

"'Just look at its breast-feathers; like a jewel. It’s murder to shoot them. 

"'The Burmese say that when you kill one of these birds they vomit, meaning to say, 'Look, here is all I possess, and I have taken nothing of yours. Why do you kill me?' 

"Flory shot several more pigeons, and a small Bronze-wing Dove with back as green as verdigris. 

"The Junglefowl were too cunning to show themselves though one could hear them cluck-clucking all round, and once or twice the sharp trumpet-call of a cock."

"As they were walking to the fifth beat they came to a great peepul tree in which, high up, one could hear imperial pigeons cooing. 

"It was a sound like the far-off lowing of cows."

And there is more such as this:

"The vultures in the big pyinkado trees by the cemetery flapped from their dung-whitened branches, steadied themselves on the wing, and climbed by vast spirals into the upper air. 

And this: "Flory was watching some tiny, nameless finches eating the seeds of the tall grasses. The cocks were chrome-yellow, the hens like hen sparrows. 

"Too tiny to bend the stalks, they came whirring towards them, seized them in midflight and bore them to the ground by their own weight." 

Pink-necked Green Pigeon - the species probably witnessed by Orwell (photo JJ Harrison via Wikimedia Commons)

Does nature-loving Princess of Wales' birthday video show that she's halfway to becoming a birder?

                                                         

Basking in nature - the Princess of Wales (Photo: @kensingtonroyal)

THERE has been widespread praise for the 'nature in winter' video posted online by the Princess of Wales to coincide with her 44th birthday.

Most of the scenes depict open countryside, with rivers and water particularly prominent.

But among the birds included are Black-headed Gulls and murmurations of Starlings.

In her reflective voiceover, the ever-popular Princess says: "Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration."

Her Royal Highness obviously has the right clothing, with a particularly fetching bakerboy tweed hat.

Now all she needs is to invest in a pair of binoculars so she can put a name to the birds that she sees on her rambles.

Handsome study of Peregrine Falcon sells for above estimate at weekend auction in Yorkshire

                                                                

On patrol - the magnificent raptor

BRUCE Henry (1918-2011) is not the best known of bird artists but his fine study of a Peregrine Falcon on a rocky outcrop definitely caught the eye at a sale yesterday in North Yorkshire.

The pre-sale estimate of Leyburn-based auction house Tennants was that the watercolour-and-gouache would fetch between £300 and £500, but bidding had reached £750 before the hammer fell.

Interestingly, the painting was formerly in the picture collection of  the pioneering bird photographer Eric Hosking. 

At the same sale, a sketch by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) of a  Woodpigeon and a Turtle Dove sold for £350 against a pre-sale estimate of £200-£300.

                                   

Thorburn sketch