Lesser Grey Shrike.
21st May 2025
The Lesser Grey Shrike is one of the four shrikes that can be seen on the island of Lesvos. They are the least numerous of the four and without doubt the most difficult to photograph. They are very easily spooked and are highly unapproachable.
My second statement was exemplified with no birds seen in the first week. I was beginning to think we would miss seeing them altogether which would have been disappointing to say the least. I try and photograph all four shrikes went I’m on the island.
However, one early morning we had travelled over to the west and having stopped the car with the intention of walking along the road checking the trees and bushes for migrants, which can be very rewarding there, there was a Lesser Grey Shrike perched right out in the open, sometimes you can’t make it up. I stayed at the car, it’s no good trying to approach these birds they will fly off immediately. I fired off a few shots and I could see I had some reasonable images. We started to walk and off it flew and disappeared as usual but at least I had something.
My second statement was exemplified with no birds seen in the first week. I was beginning to think we would miss seeing them altogether which would have been disappointing to say the least. I try and photograph all four shrikes went I’m on the island.
However, one early morning we had travelled over to the west and having stopped the car with the intention of walking along the road checking the trees and bushes for migrants, which can be very rewarding there, there was a Lesser Grey Shrike perched right out in the open, sometimes you can’t make it up. I stayed at the car, it’s no good trying to approach these birds they will fly off immediately. I fired off a few shots and I could see I had some reasonable images. We started to walk and off it flew and disappeared as usual but at least I had something.