WOODCHAT SHRIKE & DUSKY WARBLER in Cleveland

I have only visited Hartlepool once before and that was to watch the mighty Tamworth FC create a 'giant killing' shock and knock Hartlepool United out of the FA Cup.  Would my second visit to this town prove just as memorable and enjoyable?  As I made my way to the headland, news of a RADDE'S WARBLER came through from the Jewish Cemetery.  I decided to head to The Croft first though in order to check out a long staying Lanius species.  Every birder loves a shrike!  Upon arrival there was no sign of the bird amongst the plethora of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs but after a short while the juvenile WOODCHAT SHRIKE (289) finally made an impressive entrance.  To my surprise it flew straight towards me with a freshly deceased Goldcrest in its bill.  It then tucked itself into cover where it could be glimpsed decapitating its prey, wedging the body in between two small branches and ripping it to shreads.  It was like a scene from the movie 'SAW'!  

 juvenile WOODCHAT SHRIKE - Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland - October 2010

These excellent photos were kindly provided by Tristan Reid

With no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler or the Firecrest which had been present in The Croft earlier in the day, I decided to head across to the Spion Kop Cemetery where the RADDE'S WARBLER had been re-identified as a DUSKY WARBLER.  As I arrived on site it did not look good.  I was told that that the bird had been disturbed by over eager twitchers and had promptly disappeared from its favoured feeding area.  Undeterred I decided to take a stroll further along the track overlooking the rugby club and within a few minutes I detected a distinctive 'tak.... tak.... tak' call.  With the help from another birder I managed to catch a glimpse of the bird responsible for the sound, a fine DUSKY WARBLER (290).  After a bit of patience the bird showed very well indeed but was easily spooked and disappeared for long periods.  As with the previous day at Spurn, my day of birding had ended with a bang.  I now have just ten species to go until the target of 300 is smashed!  

DUSKY WARBLER - Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland - October 2010

Photo kindly provided by Steve Clifton

No Sign of Woodchat Shrike in Staffordshire

An early start was required this morning after news of a juvenile Woodchat Shrike filtered through late last night. I arrived at Whitemoor Haye at around 6.20am to find a small selection of the most dedicated St*ffordshire County listers milling around. Despite hanging around on site until 7.20am, this West Midlands MEGA failed to show in the emerging sun. For the lucky few that connected yesterday evening this a species that could well remain a County blocker for some time based on past records in the region. On a positive note it was great to see at least 14 Grey Partridge amongst the set-aside fields. This a species that seems to be in real trouble in the West Midlands as well as in numerous other parts of England unfortunately. Other sightings during my brief stop over included Yellow Wagtail, Common Whitethroat and Tree Sparrow.

A scene of sheer misery.... a covey of heart-broken St*ffordshire birders ponder over what might have been.

For any St*ffordshire County Listers that may have been affected by this blog please call.....

The Samaritans on 01782 213555

Woodchat Shrike in the West Midlands Region

If accepted this will be only the fourth ever record of Woodchat Shrike for the West Midlands region, with the latest sighting being the first for Staffordshire. This would constitute only the first ever Autumn record too. The previous records are as follows:

1. 1893 - Weatheroak Hill, Worcestershire - 14th May - a pair (dodgy perhaps?)
2. 1999 - Longmoor Valley, Sutton Park, West Midlands (old Warwickshire) - 1st to 14th June male
3. 2009 - Brandon Marsh, Warwickshire - 29th May - adult
4. 2010 - Whitemoor Haye, Staffordshire - 8th September - juvenile