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Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
http://www.lbcarchive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22026		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Benjamin Ward [ Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
22/02/2015

Great Grey Shrike in the area today, near Malborough Farm, first seen at approximately 12:15. Andy Sims, kindly, took time out from what he was doing, to briefly join me in observing the bird.

I am sure that the bird first arrived at the location today, as I had actually previously looked round the area this morning, I was there yesterday as well and make fairly frequent visits. The bird was still present at 15:20.

If thinking of viewing the bird, if it stays around a while -

The bird showed around (SK9334561882), viewed from the path. It is not a public footpath rather it is a permissive access path, through working farmland, which is being very kindly provided still, despite its Defra walk status expiring in 2011.

There is enough room to park 1 / 2 cars maximum, opposite the gated access point (SK9306162740), otherwise parking would have to be found in Aubourn village.

Will add a photo to the gallery later, If, I can work out how to convert it to the right dimensions!

Regards,

Ben.
Author:  Colin Scott [ Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Great find Ben, nice one..
Author:  Chris Atkin [ Sun Feb 22, 2015 11:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Indeed, not only a good find from a young birder who clearly has a passion for the hobby, but also with full details provided of exactly when & where the bird was seen, along with details for parking.


Regards

Chris
Author:  Benjamin Ward [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 12:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Truly very kind words, most gratefully received, Chris and Colin, they mean a lot to me. It is a privilege to have as stunning a bird as this, on my locally frequented patch, I only hope that it finds its self at home in the area for a while (no doubting that there is plenty of prey available), and that it can be observed by fellow enthusiasts such as yourselves.

If I can be, I will certainly be there tomorrow to see if the bird is still present.

I am by no means “tech savvy”, very much the opposite, after a couple of frustrating hours (I definitely need IT tuition!), the photo that I have re-sized in the LBC gallery is the best that I could manage tonight.

Regards,

Ben.
Author:  Chris Grimshaw [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Nice find to go along with your stonechat Ben.
Here is the way to get photos published on the Forum. Kindly sent to me by Andrew Chick a few years ago. I hope it helps and there may be other ways

1. Load and edit the image in Photoshop
2. Use the “Edit” function to Crop the image using the 3:2 to get required picture and ratio
3. Resize the image to 700 pixels along the top
4. Save for the Web
5. Maximum width for album is 700 pixels with a maximum size of 100kb
Author:  Oliver Woodman [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Great find Ben, a bit of reward for all those hours tramping the local patch, just goes to show what can be found 'on your doorstep' if you keep looking.
Regarding the location, it is within 1 kilometre of where the Bassingham Shrike was last Christmas, interesting if it is the same bird or just a favourable area, might have a look for it early doors tomorrow.

Cheers,

Oliver
Author:  Benjamin Ward [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Many thanks, Oliver and Chris particularly kind of you both, and is very much appreciated.

I went over there today for a brief visit, which ended up turning into a very extensive search!

Regards,

Ben.
Author:  Benjamin Ward [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Great Grey Shrike relocated today on Marlborough Fen (SK9398661486), viewed from the path, still present at 15:45.

It can be reached by following the paths from its original location, around a 2 mile walk.

Alternatively, it could be walked to, from the gated access point on Blackmoor Road (SK9419562677). The only parking is at Blackmoor Bridge and would mean walking along the very narrow verge of Blackmoor Road to get to the gate, which is a fairly busy road, on which I frequently see some rather reckless overtaking manoeuvres performed. It would be around a mile walk. Please be very careful if choosing this option.

The publicly accessible paths are marked with arrows, those with horseshoe signs are no access and private bridleways.

Regards,

Ben.
Author:  Colin Scott [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
I went down this morning spending an hour and a half looking with no joy.

However, I had an enjoyable time observing the many Yellows Hammers and the Reed Buntings. I turned around at one point to see a Stoat about 6 feet away which immediately then did a runner.

Also 2 Bullfinch, 3 Dunnock, 3/4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Magpie, 4 Robin.

Fantastically well kept farm, if only all farmers kept their hedges like those. No wonder as you say Ben there is plenty of prey.

Moved up to Blackmoor Bridge for a further hour or so, had a very enjoyable morning..

Col..
Author:  Colin Scott [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Obviously not a good idea to compose posts whilst cooking tea..

Grand. Back I will go in the morning then.. :)

Ben, I noticed on the way out that there is a small map on the back of the gate showing the passive path which from memory is a large U shape. Using grid ref finder your mark is one third down a small wood. Am I right to assume that that area is not an access area of the footpath.

Many Thanks,
Col
Author:  Benjamin Ward [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Good luck for tomorrow Colin, I hope that the bird is still present and shows well.

I have found Bullfinches fairly scarce on the estate, I probably had your birds this afternoon, opposite the wood next to the loading area.

I am hoping to get across at some point in the afternoon.

The permissive access path runs beside the woodland and the reference points to where the bird was mainly showing best, flying between there and nearby hedges.

It is a U shaped shape walk from either access point. You can actually do a circular walk by following the "Stepping Out walk" signs on Blackmoor Road which take you through the field margins either side of the road, the north side of the road at the Blackmoor end, and the south side at the Aubourn village end, crossing over the road halfway. The circular walk is 4 miles in total.

There are maps showing all of the paths in the general area in the Blackmoor Bridge hide.

Regards,

Ben.
Author:  Benjamin Ward [ Tue Feb 24, 2015 12:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
PM sent, about tomorrow, Colin.

Regards,

Ben.
Author:  Colin Scott [ Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Arrived just before 8am and left at 11.30am.

No joy. I walked as far as the drain beyond the wood of your last sighting. Scoped all hedges and tree lines from the entrance gate to that point. Another fella had covered a good area of the land also from the Blackmoor end.

I will make another trip out tomorrow but I reckon I will go in the afternoon this time.
Author:  Colin Scott [ Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
Just noticed GGS listed at Bassingham this morning at 7.41..

Edit: on Birdguides..
Author:  Russell Hayes [ Tue Feb 24, 2015 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Great Grey Shrike, Aubourn.
The Birdguides report refers to a sighting on 23rd not today, it was posted at 7:41 and probably refers to the sighting reported on here, Bassingham used as a general location.
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