Shrike vs. Kestrel at Sam Smith

[feathered]

I saw two Northern Shrikes at Colonel Sam Smith Park this afternoon (each in a different tree at the same time, one on the mainland by the marina and the other on the peninsula), and one was picking a fight with the local kestrel for nearly half an hour. The shrike first started dive bombing the kestrel in one of the old trees by the wooden deck on the mainland (the kestrel had a mouse), and eventually drove off the kestrel (still holding his mouse). The shrike then took off in a different direction and I watched it fly after some sort of smaller bird, perhaps a sparrow. Whatever it was, I think the shrike got it because I heard some shrieking.

Maybe 10-15 minutes later, I heard the shrike calling and the kestrel screaming, and saw them both in a tree further off. The kestrel was holding a sparrow (maybe stolen from the shrike?) and the shrike was harassing it once again. Eventually they both took off, and at some point the kestrel dropped his quarry and the shrike returned to one of its tree tops. A loud and exciting little rivalry.

[Reuven_M]

awesome!

[Rob'in'To]

I second that.  "Awesome!"  One of these ventures I will see one of these Shrikes.  Thanks for sharing and especially with pics!

[dizzy]

Two small but ferocious warriers going at each other. Thanks for sharing that story and the pics.

mike

[mr.sharp-photo]

Sam Smith was deadly quiet today. absolutely nothing to see (and i went before seeing your post)

[feathered]

Thank you, and you're welcome!

I was there from around 1-4 in hope of seeing the harrier again, but aside from the two shrikes and the kestrel (and waterfowl, of course), that was it. I don't blame everything else for hiding with those three on patrol, though. :lol:

[JimmyM]

Great action story and photos - really enjoy this this type of nature action !
Jim

[Ron Luft]

I think that either OFO or MNR should step in and attempt to settle the dispute with high level meetings and perhaps have a perimeter fence erected and security provided. Or...never mind. I don't like where this going.

Very cool pics and background story.

[Luv2Bird]

Talk about "show n tell" .. this was a fantastic thing to witness .. lucky you!