Loggerhead Shrike - Hope Airport

[Jamie]

My dad found a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE at Hope Airport today!!   It's the 4th record for the checklist area. It was at the north side of the airport I believe. We don't think its the same bird from April 3. Stay tuned for pictures and more details!

[10aciousfaith]

Keep us informed. I would love to add it to my life list! Damion

[Gord]

Thanks for posting, Jamie! Yes I definitely get the feel this is a different bird. The white tips on the tertial feathers (on the wing) are much broader from April's bird. Photos of April's bird can be seen here. www.fraservalleybirding.com/Species/Bird%20Accounts/Loggerhead%20Shrike.htm

I wondered if getting out to Hope Airport at the crack of dawn would be worthwhile like last week and the Sage Thrasher. Turns out it was! Very birdy and no wind to be had at all. The obvious highlight was the Loggerhead Shrike on the north side of the airport about 100 metres west of the terminal. It was sitting on the chainlink fence at first with a bold Vesper Sparrow perched not far off. It then flew up into the antennae before coming back to the chainlink fence. It was a bit jumpy and when a vehicle passed it flew. Perhaps as the morning went on and more vehicles were on the road it left for a quieter spot as there were no more sightings despite several people looking for it.





Chainlink fence was popular this morning with a Western Kingbird and the Vesper Sparrow also on it.





An amusing shot from Island 22. The goose was not at all alarmed with the vultures.



Good birding to all! Damion, hope you're able to track it down.

[Gord]

Sounds like this guy was a one day (morning) wonder. Other people went looking throughout the day with no luck.

[denisknopp]

No Luck yesterday.
Denis