Bygone birding: Red-backed Shrike - a species 'partial to downs and open pastures in southern districts'

                                                         

Gould's depiction of an adult male (top) and a first-year male 

Except occasionally on migration, the Red-backed Shrike has now been lost to  Great Britain. In his The Birds of Europe (1837) author-artist John Gould recalls a time when it was more widespread.

Among the shrikes which periodically visit our island, the Red-backed is the best known and most universally spread. 

Its arrival usually occurs from the middle of April to the beginning of May, the exact period being regulated by the forwardness of the spring, inasmuch as its food consists almost solely of insects, the appearance of which depends upon the temperature of the season. 

Though found occasionally in the northern counties of England, it is by no means so abundant there as in the middle, and more especially the southern districts. 

In Scotland it is, we believe, altogether unknown, nor are we aware of its having been discovered in Ireland. 

It is partial to downs and open pastures, particularly such as are intersected or bordered by thick stunted hedges, where it may be commonly met with singly or in pairs, but never in flocks. 

Like the rest of the shrikes, its manners and note are very peculiar and serve at once to distinguish it from the small birds of other groups.

Its chief food consists of insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles and the larger kinds of flies, which it often takes on the wing. 

It may be generally noticed quietly perched in some commanding situation awaiting the approach of its prey upon which it darts not unlike a flycatcher, generally returning to the same perch. 

Besides insects, it is known to attack young and feeble birds, mice, lizards and slugs  which, as is the case with most of its congeners, it impales on a sharp thorn or spike previously to tearing them to pieces.

Though small in size, the Red-backed Shrike is extremely fierce and courageous, defending itself with great obstinacy when wounded or assailed. 

On the Continent it is widely distributed, being spread throughout every province of Europe, from the south as far as Russia and Sweden; and we may add that it is also a native of North  Africa.

The Red-backed Shrike builds its nest in sharp thorny bushes, often at a considerable distance from the ground, constructing it of dried grasses and wool, with a lining of hair. 

The eggs are five or six in number, of a pinkish white, with spots of wood-brown disposed in zones chiefly at the larger end.

The population rise and rise of a chunkily-built duck formerly not common on British waters

                                                                      

                                                             

Shoveler - increasingly common duck at freshwater sites 

THE extraordinary increase in Britain's Shoveler numbers shows no signs of abating.

According to the latest survey, as recorded in the authoritative Waterbirds in the UK 2024/25 survey, its population has soared by 82 per cent over the past 25 years.

More and more birds are turning up at sites which they previously shunned - for instance, ornamental and recreational waters in urban locations.

Gadwall have also increased over the same period while another species, Pintail, has halted its 25-year decline, rising by 39 per cent over the past 10 years.

However, most winter-seen duck species are being seen less frequently in British waters during winter than in previous years

These include Scaup, Eider and Goldeneye.

Pochard numbers have plummeted by 33 per cent over the past  10 years and by 72 per cent over the past 25 years.

It is thought some of these species are spending winter in countries such Germany and Netherlands which, as a result of climate change, have become warmer and  are closer to their Northern Europe breeding haunts than the UK.

Remembering Keith Shackleton - bird artist's fine work will catch the eye at forthcoming Salisbury auction

                                                        

EXPLORER and artist Keith Shackleton MBE (1923-2015) established a reputation for his superb studies of birdlife in Antarctica.

Prior to committing himself full-time to art, he spent five years in the RAF before joining the family aviation business as a salesman and pilot.

In childhood, Shackleton attended Oundle School - the same as Sir Peter Scott with whom he was to share travels and whom he helped set up the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust  of which he became vice-president.

Like Sir Peter, he also became a TV presenter, co-presenting Animal Magic with Johnny Morris in the 1960s before hosting his own series, Animals in Action, in the late 1970s.

On June 2, a copy of his book, Keith Shackleton - An Autobiography in Paintings is due to go under the hammer at an auction to be held by Woolley and Wallis at their saleroom in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Included in the same Lot (and likely to be its  main attraction) is one of his non-polar works - his handsome oil on canvas board study, A Rural Landscape with Geese.

The pre-sale guide price for the Lot - the two items - is £400-£600. 

                                                            

Anyone care to identify the species of the geese?

Set back for Orkney stoat eradication campaign as species spreads to outlying island

                                                                  

The campaign to eliminate Orkney's stoats has faltered

THERE has been a setback in the campaign to eradicate stoats from The Orkneys.

It emerged last week that  one has been sighted on the island Rousay whereas previously they had been confined to the Orkney mainland and linked isles.

A statement issued by Orkney Native Wildlife Project reads:  "We have some bad news to share.

"Evidence of the Rousay individual came from one of the trail cameras we have on the island.

"This is really concerning news for the community, nature and the whole of Orkney. 

"Even by Orkney’s high standards, Rousay is an important place for nature - from breeding seabirds to birds of moorland, peatland and lochans such as  Curlews, Red-throated Divers, Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls.

"It is also one of the nine islands in Orkney that is home to the Orkney vole, found nowhere else on earth."

The statement continues: "As part of the response, we have additional traps, cameras including AI cameras and dog searches happening as we work to remove the stoat and get a better understanding of the situation.

"We were able to act quickly thanks to the diligence of visitors, who reported they may have seen a stoat, and because of the landowners that had already granted access as part of biosecurity measures. 

"We are also incredibly fortunate to have trained incursion volunteers on the island who are now part of the response.

"We are now asking all visitors and residents to be extra vigilant and report any potential stoat sightings on Rousay immediately."

Because stoats are strong swimmers, it is thought the Rousay individual may have made its incursion under its own steam.

The invasive Rousay stoat - as captured on trail camera

                               

Natural England duo expect Exmoor's re-introduced White-tailed Eagles to feed on "fish and coastal birds"

                                                  

Soon to be soaring over Exmoor - White-tailed Eagles

UP to 20 White-tailed Eagles are to be re-introduced  over the next three years to Exmoor in Devon despite opposition from farmers fearful that young livestock could fall victim to the huge birds of prey

Go-ahead for the initiative was today announced by Natural England and the Forestry Commission who have been working on the project with the Roy Dennis Foundation which has extensive experience of raptor re-introduction programmes in Scotland and the Isle of Wight.  

In a statement issued today, Roxannne Gardiner and Olivia Beatty, both of Natural England, say:

"We are aware that some  have raised concerns about the project, especially around livestock predation. 

"Our team have joined meetings with farming sector representatives and read the local consultation responses. 

"These concerns have been fully considered.

"We understand that there are genuine fears but have also reflected on evidence from six years of monitoring the 45 birds released by the Isle of Wight project, and their offspring, which shows no recorded feeding on lambs or other livestock."

So what do re-introduced White-tailed Eagles eat? 

The statement continues: "The Isle of Wight birds have only been observed to take natural prey, preferring fish and coastal birds, which is in line with comparable areas in Europe."

Natural England says there will be a project steering group that includes farming sector representatives.

There will also be a commitment to long‑term monitoring of the eagles’ activities, both through GPS tracking and through activity reporting forms.

The licence duration is for 11 years, by which time the project team reckon released birds should have "settled and begun breeding".

Newspaper columnist claims introduced Egyptian Geese may be 'stealing' nest sites from Barn Owls

                                                             

A family of Egyptian Geese - these birds were snapped in the grounds of the Sandringham estate where they used to be watched by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip 

A COLUMNIST in The Daily Telegraph newspaper has claimed fast-spreading Egyptian Geese, an 'alien' species,  may be  "stealing" nests from Barn Owls.

Matt Ridley writes: "Egyptian Geese can be territorial and like to nest in holes in trees, so they steal owl boxes from barn owls."

In his article, the writer reflects on other introduced species such as Ruddy Ducks and Ring-necked Parakeets, suggesting that the latter have been detected attacking noctule bats in Spain.

Mr Ridley also makes an interesting - and perhaps arguable - comment about competition between native Greylag Geese and Canada Geese.  

"Where I live, the Canada Geese population has collapsed under competitive pressure from native Greylag Geese," he writes. "The Greylag retreated to the Hebrides in the mid-20th Century but has come back strong, driving Canada Geese away from favoured nest sites and is now a pest eating the grass intended for sheep."

Returning to the Egyptian Goose, the author concludes: "I am told Egyptian Geese make for an excellent game bird and are widely hunted in their native native environs."  

Matt Ridley's lively (and contentious) article in The Daily Telegraph

Blame bug on the birdwatchers! Tabloid newspaper points accusatory finger at gull-watching birders

 

A reader of The Wryneck  has submitted this headline from a recent edition of The Sun newspaper in its coverage of the virus infection on board a cruise ship in the Atlantic. The report indicates that the bug came from rats which were scuttling about a landfill site where birders were on the look-out for rare gulls which frequently scavenge such habitats. But the headline seems to be a 'downer' on birders, implicating them, as much as  the rodents,  for the infection.