Day 357: December 23rd- The Butcher Bird

Sunny, calm, mid 30s

       We're off chasing birds once again as a report of a Northern shrike which was first seen during the Christmas Count last week has persisted.  The bird which is a rarity for Orange County should be considerably north of us at this time of year.   The Northern shrike is a predatory songbird which breeds in taiga and tundra and generally winters in southern Canada and the northern United States. It has earned the name of “Butcher Bird” because of its habit of impaling its prey on spines or barbed wire fences.  Its diet is primarily insects, small mammals and birds.  It’s been a week since the bird was first sighted, so it appears that it is finding enough of a food supply to keep it well sustained while visiting down here in Orange County.

       The site where the bird has been seen is just outside of the town of Montgomery on Corbett Road.  The habitat is perfect…..large expanses of grassland with brush and saplings spread throughout. 

       Sharon and I spent about a half hour on the site along with several members of the Mearns club before the bird popped up and made its presence known.  It stayed distant and moved from tree to tree for about three minutes before once again disappearing down into the higher grasses.  I continued to watch over the area for another 45 minutes or so before succumbing to the cold and the desire to get home to see the Giants play (should have stayed and looked for the bird…it was more enjoyable and rewarding).

       During the time we spent looking while the shrike remained hidden, a Red-tailed hawk soared above scouting out the area.  As much of a tyrant the “butcher bird” is, he is small and no match for a red-tail, and this could have been the reason the bird remained hidden down in the high grass. 

       This was a “year-bird” for us, and at this late date it is always good to add to that list.  Several other rarities were reported down in Westchester County today, so early tomorrow (Christmas eve), I’ll try to get out and add at least one more to that yearly tally.  Wish me luck.