Loggerhead Shrike

[OnionPatch]

I just saw one on the fence down the road. I haven't seen one of them for years. I didn't even know they were around here. At first I subconciously thought it was a mockingbird until closer inspection. Ok, no biggie, but someone was nagging us to post our sightings.

Oh, one more cool thing...last night we were sitting in the dark out on the deck listening to a barn owl screeching. Suddenly, it swooped right at us and up over us about 8 feet above our heads! Totally silent.

[amazona]

1. nice sightings!

The very occasional Loggerhead Shrike in my backyard that stands out from the Mockingbird hordes makes it all worthwhile. :-)

[livetohike]

2. I have never seen a Loggerhead Shrike

:-(. I love owls, that must have been a cool experience.

[amazona]

3. check telephone wires in part-agricultural areas

I'm not talking about total agricultural desert but look around in areas where there is agricultural nearby and maybe some gardens, park, or suburban yards. They don't seem to like it so much if the area is totally suburban, I suspect because they can't handle cats so well as Mockingbirds do. I know of a nest I watch each year that is in a state park near a beach overlooking Lake Pontchartrain, so it has the trees, open space (the lake), and some lawn all near the tree where it is nesting. So they have the "edge" of open and woody they need, but they are also free from the threat of cats because it's a well-maintained park. But it's easier to find them on wires or poles rather than nests.

[livetohike]

4. Thanks for the tips!

I will keep looking. I can't believe I have never seen one. I've lived all over the US and I always look on telephone wires or fences...

[XemaSab]

5. Try the central valley

Farmland with a few houses and some ornamental trees. Mendota. That's the ticket.

[livetohike]

6. Thanks XemaSab

That would be a good destination :-).