Great Grey Shrike - Tockholes, Lancs - 19th Feb 2008.

A cracking reward for Darwen birder Alan Taylor during his monthly walk over Darwen Moor on 18th Feb. This 1stw bird was typically mobile and elusive on the 19th, but gave itself up on a couple of occasions between 11:45-15:40, ranging between the A675 at Piccadilly/Slipper Lowe/Hollinshead Hall/ plantations below Cartridge Hill and Conyries Plantation. Also in the area, a cracking juv Peregrine chasing an all white Dove below Conyries Plantation, c4 Raven, 30 Fieldfare, 3 Stonechat and c10 Siskin.

Quite unbelievably, this is the 5th Great Grey Shrike to be recorded in East Lancashire since 2nd Oct 2007! - Totally unprecendented.

I would appreciate any information anyone could provide regarding any previous records in the Blackburn area, as everyone I have so far spoken to are not aware of any.