I had a free couple of hours this afternoon so decided to head over to Sapperton to have another look at the great grey shrike. Driving past the usual quarry site, I could see a lone birder standing in a gateway next to his camera set up on a tripod obviously looking for it. I drove on past and then suddenly spotted the shrike perched up on a tree a hundred or so yards down the road. As I slowed down for a better look, the bird flew across the road, towards the quarry. I turned the car round and headed back, parking next to a gap in the hedge. Just as I had finished talking to the aforesaid birder, I spotted the shrike on one of the higher bushes a little way off. It was very mobile today, flying to and fro between different bushes and trees and then disappeared from view and only allowing a couple of records shots, but at least a little closer than on my last visit. It's a very smart bird; its white and grey plumage standing out against the countryside, and often at the top of a tree or bush, making it easy to spot. At just over twenty minutes from home, it's worth several visits to see it, always hoping it might just be a little nearer...
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