I started off the morning at Reifel. While heading out along the east dyke trail I caught a glimpse of a Varied Thrush. It was with some Robins feeding on berries. Unfortunately it did not return, but I stayed with the Robins for a while.
They were frequenting a couple of trees to feast on the berries.
One just had to be patient,
… and wait for when they were unobstructed by branches.
Not having any luck with much else at the sanctuary, it was time for a change of venue. I headed out to Brunswick Point, located at the western end of River Rd. in Ladner. As it was still fairly windy, it was pretty quiet here birding wise as well. On the way back my luck changed. I noticed the distinct shape and colour of a regular winter visitor alight atop a small tree.
The Northern Shrike will normally scan for prey from a high perch like this. They are a predatory song bird that will eat insects, snakes, rodents and small birds. Sometimes referred to as the “Butcher Bird”, it will impale its prey on thorns or branches. This helps support the prey while it is eaten, a means to cache food for later and a way they mark their territory.