Northern Shrike At Sam Smith Park

[Brian Bailey]

I was a bit surprised to find a young Northern Shrike at Sam Smith Park just before dusk this evening.  I have managed to not see one there all winter, but this was not the same bird I've seen photos of earlier this year.  It was a first winter bird with a very indistinct mask:  barely more than a dark smudge behind the eye.  It also showed very little white on the wings when it flew.

I guess it's not super late for a Northern Shrike, but it sure seems that way with this weather!

BB

[lovemypt]

Hi Brian


I was there in the morning yesterday, was this the little guy you saw? He certainly doesn't have the nice marking as his cousin from last year at Col Sam




Dave

[Brian Bailey]

That looks like the same bird (in much better light).  I didn't have a camera with me, but it was after sunset when I spotted him anyway.

I went out late this afternoon to try again, but no luck.  A consolation prize was a female Red-winged Blackbird.  That's probably the earliest ever for me by a couple of weeks.  I normally see the first males about now and the first females near the end of the month.

BB