BIRDWATCH AT PULBOROUGH BROOKS RSPB

THIS autumn has already been an unusual one for one of Britain's scarce winter visitors.

The great grey shrike Lanius excubitor arrives in this country from northern and eastern Europe in small numbers '“nusual one for one of Britain's scarce winter visitors.

The great grey shrike Lanius excubitor arrives in this country from northern and eastern Europe in small numbers '“ perhaps only a few dozen in the whole of the country '“ in October and November and departs in the early spring.

This autumn, more great grey shrikes than normal have appeared across the UK, (and they have also appeared earlier).

If you have never been lucky enough to see one, this winter must represent the best opportunity in some years of finding one for yourself.

In line with the picture across the rest of the country, Sussex seems to have more than its normal quota of these splendid birds, with four or five individuals recorded so far.

One of the usual haunts of great grey shrikes is in the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, and sure enough, one has taken up residence there. Others have been seen on Lavington common, near Pagham harbour, at Waltham brooks and at Rye Harbour.

Some of these birds may have been passing through to points further south and west, but it may also be that there are others yet to be discovered on heaths and scrubby open areas around the county.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette November 14