Great Grey Shrike at Black Down.

Saturday 12th November 2022.

The Great Grey Shrike at Black Down today.

After yesterday's news of a Great Grey Shrike on Black Down, near Haslemere, I couldn't resist in trying my luck for the bird; however, it didn't totally go according to plan. I was sent the exact area where the bird was seen yesterday and so the Sat Nav on my mobile took us through a lot of minor roads once off the A3 northbound and through a lot of woodland; eventually parking up some 100 yards away to the entrance of Black Down.

Above, one of two Marsh Tits were seen near the entrance to Black Down. Below, a male Stonechat in the gloom within the thick fog.

Worse was to come as the whole of Black Down was enveloped in thick fog which didn't lift for at least 2 ½ hours as we joined several other birders searching in vain for the Shrike. The long achy walk up a hill did produce sightings of a couple of Marsh Tits, while both Redwing and Fieldfare were heard within the gloom of the fog, but not seen. We came across a couple of birders sitting on a bench and so joined them, hoping by luck that the Shrike just might pop onto one of the trees within the fog. A pair of Stonechats and a male Dartford Warbler entertained for a while nearby on the Gorse Bushes as we enjoyed a cup of coffee from Andy’s flask.

Above, Common Puffball and below, False Chanterelle toadstools. Though I was busy searching for the Shrike, at least a few Toadstools were on show on the heath.

Another despondent birder joined us and told us he had a flock of Brambling over his head earlier, but still no sign of the Shrike whatsoever. I suggested walking down the path he had come from and so made our way down hill and eventually took up residence on another comfy bench. From here, I found a group of Common Puffball toadstools near the bench, but little else of note during our time here. I then heard an odd whistle in the distance and wondered if one of the birders had found the Shrike, but with all the dog-walkers around blowing their respective dog whistles, we did not act on it. 

Above, a male Dartford Warbler in the fog and below, once the fog had lifted, these delightful birds showed well during our stay here. I must have heard at least four birds.

It turned out to be a big mistake as a birder who we had met earlier had told us that the bird had been seen where we originally were. It had perched on a top of a tree for at least ten minutes as the birder grabbed  a few photos of the Great Grey Shrike perched on a tree nearby, but it flew off and he wasn't sure in which direction it went. Another hour or so went past  and still no sign of the bird, though a few Redwing and several very large numbers of Wood Pigeons flew over. Both the Stonechats and Dartford Warblers showed very well at times and a buck Roe Deer was seen running down in the valley below. At least the fog was now starting to lift and I was amazed at how beautiful the scenery was as we seemed to be standing on a hill surrounded by some beautiful countryside.

Above, an appreciative crowd of birders were trying to locate the bird in all this scrub on Black Down and below, the Great Grey Shrike eventually showed very well to all of us. Phew!

We walked back down to the second bench and while I was watching down in the valley below after watching a pair of Bullfinches flying over, the shout went up that the Great Grey Shrike had been spotted. Rushing up a bit of hill, we joined another couple of birders who kindly pointed out where the bird was perched and sure enough, there it was on the edge of a dead tree and in this now superb light, what a bird! It performed superbly to the assembled crowd and flew from tree to tree and eventually flew over our heads and landed in trees to the east this time. I don't like to hang around too long around such an uncommon bird, leaving it to get on with its business and most certainly will not chase the bird to get more photos, like one individual did and so we made our way back to the car, which was thankfully downhill all the way there.

Just some of the photos I took of the Great Grey Shrike today.

Before dropping Andy off, we popped into the Bat & Ball pub for a quick beer and sat outside in the garden overlooking the countryside to the east. Yes, a bit of a breeze blowing, but with temperatures reaching 18 degrees for mid November, what on earth is going on! A Common Buzzard passed overhead and a Great Spotted Woodpecker literally flew over our heads and landed in nearby trees. The area brought back memories from long ago when a Woodchat Shrike was seen many years ago near here and a Montagu's Harrier on the same morning flying over the fields!

Above, the underside of the False Chantenelle toadstool and below, another photo of the Marsh Tit seen earlier in the day.

Some good birds seen in Hampshire today, with a Long-tailed Duck seen off Hayling Oysterbeds along with 2 Black-necked Grebes. Andy Friend had both Red-throated and Great Northern Diver off Broadmarsh, within Langstone Harbour this morning and a Short-eared Owl was seen at Southmoor by Graeme Loader. Well done guys.