A Red-backed Shrike at Winterton Dunes

30th September 2025

After a long trip to Winterton, not helped by roadworks on the way, we eventually arrived at the car park and were enjoying a cup of tea when a crow flew in and landed nearby. As it flew past I noticed a flash of grey around the head region and therefore assumed it was a Jackdaw. But something wasn't quite right so I picked up the bins for a closer inspection only to find it was a Hooded Crow. Not just an ordinary Hooded Crow, but a Carrion/Hooded hybrid.

On a Hooded Crow the grey goes all the way down to the legs and not interspersed with black flecking.

Years ago one or two Hooded Crows were regular visitors to the Thames estuary during the winter months but today records seem very scarce so a Hooded Crow, albeit a hybrid, was a bit unexpected at Winterton especially in September!!!

The Lesser Grey Shrike had not been reported so far this morning, but the Red-backed Shrike was still present, so off we set for the one mile walk through the dunes to the copse where it had been seen. On the way were several Meadow Pipits which were a bit skittish but I did manage to grab a few shots.

We also came across this caterpillar walking across the track in the dunes, not a normal location for a caterpillar. Not only a very attractive caterpillar but also 7cm long, a Fox Moth.

We eventually arrived at the copse where the Red-backed Shrike had been reported, but it had gone AWOL. Then after about two hours a lady on top of the dunes was waving frantically and pointing north so off we went. After about a quarter of a mile we could see the shrike perched on top of some bushes and gradually moved closer taking photos as we went.

This was a very special bird for me as, after 14 years of photography, I had managed to photograph seven Red-backed Shrikes but all were juvenile/female types, so this was the first adult male that I have photographed. What a stunning bird!!!

And what better way to finish off a great day than having a stroll back along the beach to the car park and photographing some Atlantic Grey Seals fishing fairly close off the beach. Enjoy!!!