Steppe Grey Shrike & Two-barred Crossbill

Steppe Grey Shrike in Lincolnshire & Two-barred Crossbill in Yorkshire; 15th November 2008

A superbly confiding Steppe Grey Shrike had been present at Grainthorpe Haven in Lincolnshire for a few days. Chris and myself decided we would go to try and see it. We left early morning along with Roy and Colin and made our way on the long journey to Lincolnshire.

We arrived at the site and soon located where the birders were congregating. We set up our scopes and we were soon watching the shrike, albeit distantly. Even at long range the plumage tones, bill colour and general structure were all very striking.

Amazingly after a short time the Steppe Grey Shrike came closer and closer until it was showing to just a few feet!

Steppe Grey Shrike

This bird was an amazing experience. It is not often you get such an oppurtunity to study such an extreme rarity.

Aside from the shrike the area was full of birds, with Brent Geese flying overhead and good numbers of Skylark and various finch species in evidence.

After spending a fair amount of time watching and photographing the bird we decided it was time to head back northwards to attempt to see a male Two-barred Crossbill near Bilsby in North Yorkshire.

By late afternoon we arrived near Bilsby and made our way towards the farm where the Two-barred Crossbill had been frequenting. On arrival birders present informed that the bird had not been seen for a hour or so, this did not bode well! However after just a few minutes we were enjoying close views of this bright and strikingly plumaged finch.