The Red Backed Shrike....what a bird!

Having noted many of the 'flickr' photographs of a  Red Backed Shrike I decided I would make the trip to Tidemills, Newhaven yesterday.
I have never known such an amazing bird, completely unphased by human presence! At first I felt that the group of birders at the site were unfair, harassing the bird, following it from bush to bush but I soon realised it was feeding quite happily whilst being photographed at short range flying within inches of the clicking cameras.
Having obtained some classic shots I tried to obtain a few 'different' shots but it wasn't easy as it seemed to pose beautifully on the highest bramble or stick in the area.
However here are a few of the 700+ shots I took in the two hour  session! I'm sorry if you get bored but I was bowled over by this charismatic bird....now virtually extinct in the U.k. as a breeding species. This is a juvenile ....pity it wasn't an adult male!

Here it is at one of several 'larders' where it impales its prey.

Finally....a querky close up!

What a fantastic bird!

That was the week...that was.

The week started  with a brief visit To Arundel WWT one morning on the way back from an appointment in Worthing.

Kingfisher...waiting to 'pounce'.

I don't generally include captive birds but this shot of a sleepy Bewicks Swan caught my eye!

Bewick Swan

Later on,  a visit to the North Wall revealed a single Golden Plover ...unusual for this species ( in the winter there will be 600+ out in the harbour)

During the day I came across a pair of Harlequins

Friday morning.............

Pagham seafront ....looking out to sea just after sunrise

Just after sunrise from Pagham Spit looking towards the North Wall

Another visit to North Wall....

Heron fishing by the sluice

Greenshank...Whites Creek.

Along the rife from Breech Pool on Friday morning

Dabchick or Little Grebe

Such cute birds.

...with attractive rear ends!

...and very photogenic in the right setting.

Gazing at herself in the mirror!

A farewell glance back before a final dive...they spend a disproportionate time under water so photographers have to be quick!

The cattle were grazing in front of Honer Farm with the usual attendant Yellow Wagtails (at this time of year)

Yellow Wagtail.

On Saturday  as I paid a quick  visit to the North Wall  to check for a Wryneck that I missed yesterday, an Osprey was being mobbed by the local Corvids....very distant and a huge crop.

A Curlew was having a wash and brush up and I was able to 'snap' him just as he completed his morning ablutions!

By the way ...no sign of the elusive Wryneck!