Turkestan Shrike of the form 'phoenicuroides' found October 13th 2003, Donna Nook.
The bird was a joy to watch - sitting in the open for prolonged periods. It was seen to catch several bees and also dropped into the grass from time to time to pick up unknown feed items. During a 3 hour observation period it was not seen to catch, or attempt to catch, any other birds. Several Goldcrests were in the immediate area and would have made quite easy pickings.
There is some discussion as to the race of this bird;
Update - Comments on the Shrike found October 13th 2003, Donna Nook.
I am confident that the bird at Donna Nook fits squarely in the phoenicuroides camp. This is based on a combination of features: the upperparts are quite richly coloured, especially the head (which also has some prominent crescental marks); the uppertail coverts also show prominent crescents; the ear coverts are quite dark; the underparts are white with dark crescental marks. A supporting feature I cannot see is the darkness of the tail, but all other point towards this form.
Isabellinus are really quite different: paler upperparts, with at most a slight gingery wash on the crown (and often absent marking); almost plain pale uppertail coverts; paler tail; often an apricot wash on the underparts with quite indistinct markings (sometimes a very strong wash is present).
The spanner in the works is karelini, which, if work in Kazakhstan is correct, may be a true form also. As to what the young of these look like I am unsure, but I believe that the Donna Nook bird fits in with phoenicuroides nicely.
Brian Small
Isabelline Shrike - October 13th 2003, Donna Nook. © Roy Harvey 2003
Isabelline Shrike - October 13th 2003, Donna Nook. © Roy Harvey 2003
Isabelline Shrike - October 13th 2003, Donna Nook. © Roy Harvey 2003
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