NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE (Ashley Stowe)
As for NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE - there are FIVE birds wintering in the New Forest but ALL are typically wide-ranging and VERY DIFFICULT to pin down and do not get seen every day.
1) OCKNELL PLAIN: very wide-ranging but generally just north of the main Slufter's Inclosure Plantation or on the isolated Birches and small trees on the open heath and viewed from the various footpaths that lead out from the designated car park
2) PIG BUSH/BISHOPS DYKE/DENNY WOOD: another very wide-ranging regular wintering bird often favouring the Gorse bushes 500m SW of Pig Bush car park or the Birches by Rowbarrow Pond or in the trees the south side of the railway line at Beaulieu Road Station.
3) BROOMY PLAIN: regularly encountered in Birches at Broomy Bottom at SU 215 109.
4) BLACK GUTTER BOTTOM: very difficult to locate and very wide-ranging adult; often favours the Ashley Hole area at SU 205 155
5) BURLEY BEACON: probably the most reliable individual, favouring wires on which to perch just south of the beacon at SU 197 022. Park at SU 192 039 and walk.
1) OCKNELL PLAIN: very wide-ranging but generally just north of the main Slufter's Inclosure Plantation or on the isolated Birches and small trees on the open heath and viewed from the various footpaths that lead out from the designated car park
2) PIG BUSH/BISHOPS DYKE/DENNY WOOD: another very wide-ranging regular wintering bird often favouring the Gorse bushes 500m SW of Pig Bush car park or the Birches by Rowbarrow Pond or in the trees the south side of the railway line at Beaulieu Road Station.
3) BROOMY PLAIN: regularly encountered in Birches at Broomy Bottom at SU 215 109.
4) BLACK GUTTER BOTTOM: very difficult to locate and very wide-ranging adult; often favours the Ashley Hole area at SU 205 155
5) BURLEY BEACON: probably the most reliable individual, favouring wires on which to perch just south of the beacon at SU 197 022. Park at SU 192 039 and walk.
