Upper Hollesley Common (Suffolk) 25/10/25

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A chaotic journey to reach this site due to road closure just a few miles away and no obvious diversion signs. Nevertheless, well worth the effort to see the Brown Shrike that has present in the area for several days. 

The bird showed well in the sunny conditions though most times was not particularly close. Generally similar to a first-winter Red-backed Shrike, though with more uniform brown upperparts and a heavier bill. I was not expecting the tail to appear quite as rufous as on this bird. The shrike was seen to catch and devour bumblebees.

We walked the nearby common, a most beautiful area, and managed good views of Crossbills and a Dartford Warbler.

Brown Shrike





Common Crossbill



Upper Hollesley Common 

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