A woodchat shrike was reported at Dawlish Warren NNR on 20 June 2025, an exciting and rare visitor to the reserve, which has recorded only a handful of sightings in the last two decades. These striking birds, easily recognised by their chestnut crown and bold black-and-white markings, breed in southern Europe and migrate to tropical Africa. They're uncommon in Britain, making any appearance notable.
This individual was first spotted near Warren Point and was still present around 9.00 p.m., moving into scrub by the edge of the golf course. It was well-watched by local birders and fortunate visitors, offering clear views despite harassment from linnets and skylarks.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of the lucky ones. With work commitments, getting down that late wasn’t realistic. Still, having dipped a few woodchat shrikes in the past, I managed to persuade Kev @kev07713 to prioritise this one over a much longer trip to Wykeham Forest for an Ortolan bunting, and then on for a Pacific golden plover. That would have been over an eight-hour round trip, minimum, not counting traffic. A two-day mission at best.
After agreeing on Dawlish, Kev heard from his sister Karen @hobbylovinglife and her partner Dean @worlebirder, that they were also heading there and expected to arrive by 6.00 a.m. We had no intention of matching their early start, but since they weren't stopping for breakfast, neither would we. A celebratory meal after seeing the bird seemed a more rewarding plan (power of positive thinking and all that).
On the road, we rang them for an update. Ironically, they had stopped for breakfast and were just setting off again with around 20 minutes to go. They told us where they’d pulled in, so we stopped at the same spot for food, hoping they might locate the bird before we got there and could share some intel.
Once on site, we paid for parking and made our way onto the reserve, phoning them again for news. No sign of the shrike - despite a thorough search, they hadn’t found it, nor had anyone else. We saw them out on Warren Point, scanning from afar, and joined them after a slow walk in, chatting to birders along the way. There were plenty of stonechats and linnets about, and an Eider offshore, singing skylarks, but no shrike.
We spent time scouring Warren Point together but still no luck. A few sandwich terns were scant consolation, but spirits were dipping with the tide. Fortunately, Kev didn't mention the other option and that I'd dipped again ...
Eventually, we began making our way back toward the Visitor Centre, scanning as we went - still mostly stonechats and linnets. As the rain started, I picked up some movement on a distant bush - Cirl buntings! - Dean and Karen had never managed to see any here, although Kev had. Through the scope, I confirmed the ID and called the others over. Though distant, we all managed to get views, photos, and videos. Just as we were about to move on, the buntings flushed and vanished to the right.
The rain intensified, and we sought some shelter near a pool, watching swans and ducks while listening to a calling water rail and some reed warblers.
Back near the Centre, Kev picked up a calling Cirl bunting off to our left. A male, singing and preening, was soon joined briefly by a female before she dropped out of sight. We had great views of the male for several minutes. I moved to get better light, and the bird relocated, flying about 50 metres before perching again. As we edged closer, it flew back to its original spot, then dropped to a lower perch, giving me time for a few final shots before disappearing for good.
Just as we turned, a kestrel that had been hovering nearby suddenly dived into the grass close to us. We assumed it had caught something - it stayed down for a while but when it emerged, its talons were empty. It soared up and away, soon back to hovering in the distance.
We climbed the path above the beach and scoped the sea, picking out distant shelducks with a line of chicks strung behind them and a very very distant gannet.
Looking back, I think this might be the last time we chase a woodchat shrike on day two. Dipping rare birds is one thing, but it’s not great for your state of mind.
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