The Red-backed Shrike

Hard to imagine a world without birds, isn't it? We take their presence for granted as the most obvious and permanent manifestation of nature in our lives. But we should never be complacent, for our birds and the rest of our wildlife are under threat as never before. I appreciate the number and variety of birds I see and hear, many in my own garden, helped along by my own modest efforts to keep them well nourished.

The Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio is one of many birds on the Red List, with its dramatic decline to virtual extinction as a UK breeding species. This species is best looked for on passage in Spring and Autumn. But it is also good to know and welcome news that in the past few years the red-backed shrike has gained a toe-hold here once again, with several pairs breeding on Dartmoor.

Lanius collurio

These birds are under 24 hour guard against the menace of egg-collectors, whose mindless vandalism threatens to nip this recolonisation attempt in the bud. I can only hope that this little gem of a bird will make a permanent return to our shores.