Phalarope & Shrike (Double Delight) 

Having had word that a Red - necked Phalarope had turned up on one of the lakes at the Oxfordshire Golf Club, a site I'd never visited before as I thought there was no public access, it seemed a good excuse to take a peek, so myself and Stewart headed over, with a couple of lakes and plenty of rough grass I shall definitely be returning. 

There's not much parking, but luckily Mike pulled forward and I parked in front blocking him in, a short 5 minute walk up the tarmac path, the Red- necked Phalarope was in the first lake though always distant, had a quick fly around, before mingling with a few Black - headed Gulls. A scarry few minutes occurred as a Lesser Black - backed Gull arrived on the scene, as we thought it maybe eyeing it up for an early lunch, it moved on from whence it came with the Phalarope unharmed.

Red - necked Phalarope accompanied by a Black - headed Gull. 

Thinking we were nearly half way to Eastleach Downs in the Cotswolds where the vagrant Long - tailed Shrike had taken up residence for the last eight weeks or so, as it went through it's annual moult, we quickly held an executive meeting and decided to give it a visit. Just over an hour later we pulled into the car park field, put our fiver in the charity collection box, had a chat with some one who said it was showing well, had a bit to eat.

A short 10 minute walk to the Shrike field.

The Shrike was hunting along the right hand field boundary, we watched it as it moved back and forth for about 40 minutes, sitting on various vantage points from which it would dive down onto it's insect prey, take it back to a perch and eat it. Amazing bird and so close, probably anywhere between 10 & 15m distance. 

Scanning for prey.

Caught a tasty morsel.

Coughing up a pellet. 

Time for a spot of preening.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.