Loggerhead Shrikes

feathered · **on:** June 17, 2012, 04:08:45 PM

My first trip to Carden was a great success... we banded 5 out of 9 species of sparrow, saw and heard many Upland Sandpipers, American Bittern, Virgina Rail, and an Olive-sided Flycatcher, but the highlight was the famous family of shrikes by nest box 10 on our way out. We'd previously seen an adult perched on a post, but later all 5 were out and about. These are all taken from the road and heavily cropped, but it was amazing to watch the babies play around and scream for food - they really put on a show! They're one of my favourite groups of birds and I'd only ever seen Northerns before.

lovemypt · **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2012, 07:11:21 PM

Some great shots Feathered......revised....hope they stay around for a while. I am planning a trip up there on the long weekend...any suggestion where to go at Carden as 1st time there. Planing on staying overnight for one night.

Rob'in'To · **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2012, 07:55:37 AM

OMG Amanda! You sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo lucky!

I've been going up there for 6+ Springs and haven't had any success in seeing a Loggerhead and you got 5! Wicked!

Ah well, something to strive for, right?

tempted for another run after your post here, and one from Jean Iron via Ontbirds

I wonder if this Loggerhead Shrike rehab program is bringing some success?

Kin Lau · **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2012, 10:30:48 AM

Fantastic shots. Getting them with the wings spread like that is great.

feathered · **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2012, 12:14:13 PM

Thanks guys! We ran into Jean there on Saturday and she had some good luck with the shrikes earlier in the day as well - this really seems like the time to see the family.

Re: places to go, we saw just about every species of the day right along Wylie road, though most of the specialty sparrows (Grasshopper, Clay-colored, and Vesper) were best seen in the ranches which we had permission to go into as part of the banding project, but there is a walking trail into Cameron Ranch that you'd definitely be able to hear and probably see them along. We also heard several snipe and Uplands around the Cameron Ranch parking lot in the morning, as well as a Black-billed Cuckoo.