A great grey shrike where it should be - on the local Risby Warren heathland. It was busy feeding mainly on bumblebees - maybe this is because they are mostly large queens ready for egg laying at this time of the year - must be quite nutritious.
as promised - no frame-filling bird shots here
After viewing the shrike for a good hour, I went in search for reptiles. I've never managed to find any and this time was no exception. There are not many spots suitable for snake hibernaculums, but the long dry stone wall on the eastern side should surely hold common lizards. Have come to the conclusion that the many decades of shooting on the warren equals gamekeepers + masses of pheasant, equals zero reptile population.
The western side looks more wooded with birch and I have not checked this yet, so there is hope yet.
The inland wind-blown sand dune here is quite impressive.
inland dune
Really must return at night this summer - it looks ideal for glow worm with many snails and large open areas for displaying. However, there is not much in the way of water here, which seems to be a feature of many glow worm sites.
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