Shrikes may not initially look like a bird of prey, but they are also know as 'Butcher Birds'. They get this nick-name from their habit of taking prey (insects, small mammals and small reptiles, even small birds) and then impaling them on thorns. This helps them to break up the food and also acts as a 'larder' for keeping their food for later. They are relatively small (about the same size as a Thrush) and not very common.

This one is a juvenile Red-backed Shrike, adults have a more striking plumage, with a grey head and more pronounced eye stripe. Males in particular have a jet black eye stripe or mask, and vivid chestnut wings. You are most likely to see them on the coast in the autumn. This one was working his way along the dunes, constantly looking down for caterpillars, beetles and small mammals.