Bedfordshire RED-BACKED SHRIKE - second day - DIRECTIONS

I was finally able to get over and see Steve Heath's stupendous find this evening - the adult female RED-BACKED SHRIKE at Biggleswade Common. The bird was showing exceptionally well in the few scattered bushes lining the fence and railway embankment at TL 186 472, about 100 yards NW of the sewage works compound. It fed just once on a large Beetle and then disappeared deep into the bush to digest and eventually choke up a pellet.

DIRECTIONS

From the A1 roundabout in north Biggleswade, turn east along the main A6001 and turn left on to Sun Street and then left again on to St John's Wood Road. Continue over the railway and then turn left on to Furzenhall Road and continue along this narrow metalled road for about a mile to just before the sharp bend and entrance to Furzenhall Farm. Park sensibly in this area on the verge and follow past the gate on the concrete track to the sewage works entrance, bearing right and continuing NW along the perimeter fence. The track peters out at the wire fence (be careful not to cause any damage here, as cows are currently in this field) and after a further 80 yards, the shrike is favouring the slightly raised embankment line of the railway.

Lee G R Evans