This is a super quick post to share a few photos of an incredible local find - a Long-tailed Shrike - which was found earlier this month in the hedgerows of Eastleach Martin, here in the Cotswolds. This is only the third ever record of this species in the UK, and comes hot on the heels of the second ever record, which was in Fife just weeks before.

I've managed two visits to date and whilst the shrike has shown well on both occasions, towards the end of my second visit it made a very brief but welcome appearance in plain view on a bare twig. A quick dash to get into position and here are a couple of my favourite shots. It's going to be hard to resist another visit if it hangs around! A massive thank you to those involved in getting parking in place for those visiting and to Mike King (the Gloster Birder) for his perseverance in finding the bird.

Long-tailed Shrike Long-tailed Shrike