Monday 3 March 2025
Weather: Sunny, light westerly winds. 3ºC
For those of us who grew up with the comforting pop, hiss and crackle of vinyl, the natural world has always been a source of solace. And for me, that solace often comes in the form of a grey ghost, a feathered sentinel: the Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor, the name literally means “the watchful butcher,” reflecting the shrike’s predatory hunting and prominent perching habits.
Today, I found myself on Cannock Chase, heading to the edge of the clear fell near the old shooting butts. This isn’t just a casual stroll; it’s a pilgrimage. The shrike, with its sharp, predatory gaze and its habit of perching on prominent points, has been my all-time favourite bird. It’s even the inspiration behind Shrike Birding Tours, though, ironically, our logo features its smaller cousin, the equally stunning, Red-backed Shrike. With Great Grey Shrike is just that monochrome thing, I’ve always been a fan of black and white photography.
But this isn’t just a nostalgic trip, there’s a hint of sadness in the air. Numbers of Great Grey Shrikes wintering in the UK are dwindling. Climate change is taking its toll, disrupting migration patterns and affecting the availability of prey. The very “excubitor,” the watcher, is being watched, and unfortunately, the observations are not good. Birds are simply ‘short-stopping’ in Continental Europe in the same way that Taiga Bean Goose, Bewick’s Swan and the elegant ‘White Nun’ the Smew are.
The clear fell itself, a recent change in the landscape, provides a perfect hunting ground for Lanius excubitor. These birds are predators, true and through. They’re known for their larder – impaling their prey, such as voles, insects, and small birds, on thorns or barbed wire. It’s a grisly spectacle, but a testament to the shrike’s efficiency.
This morning, the shrike stayed distant, perched on a dead branch at the far edge of the fell. Even through my binoculars and spotting scope, it’s a challenge, but clear enough. The pale base to its bill and the subtle brownish fringes on its wings suggest a first-winter male. It’s a young bird, facing a challenging future.
As I watch, I think about the changes we’ve witnessed in our lifetimes. The shift from familiar certainties to the uncertainties of a changing climate. And yet, the shrike remains, a symbol of resilience, even as its numbers decline. It’s a reminder that we must cherish these moments, these encounters with nature, and do everything we can to protect them.
For us Baby Boomers, a walk on Cannock Chase is more than just a day out. It’s a chance to reconnect with the wild, to remember a time when nature felt more secure, and to reflect on the legacy we’re leaving behind. And if, just for a moment, we can catch the eye of a Great Grey Shrike, a true sentinel of the Chase, perhaps we can find a renewed sense of hope.
Photos from the tour (click on thumbnail to zoom)
