It's been quite a while since I had a new bird to see, a Lifer as birders call them. This is really all I go out for nowadays as, since Covid, my birding mojo has at an all time low. This is despite getting a new mirrorless camera over 18 months ago, but I am determined to resume bird photography as I enjoy being out and about so much.
And even if there is a rare bird about, I tend to wait to see if it hangs around for a while - there's nothing more frustrating than going for a bird which departed before you arrived. Anyway, this Woodchat Shrike was being reported for a few days in Daresbury and so I decided to go for it.
I've seen a Red-tailed or Turkestan Shrike, a Red-backed Shrike and several Great Grey Shrikes before so this makes the fourth species I've ticked of this bird. I often think that it should be thought of a 'bird of prey' because I've seen them catch lizards and frogs and I believe they will take even small birds.
