Red-backed Shrike

Well as the name of the blog suggests - i don't get out much; however yesterday afternoon (bank holiday Monday) after a call from Martin i decided this is a bird i really wanted to see. In addition it would also be lifer for Dad and we were at my parents finishing off a BBQ.

I've seen one of these before, it was the ridiculously close bird at West Canvey Marsh in September 2013 and was a juvenile so a stunning male was a must.

Martin had left before us and had located the bird within 5 minutes of his arrival, shortly after we arrived and sure enough after a few minutes was on it.

Great bird with some decent views, very mobile and fully aware of us at all times as it made its way around the scrub.