Back at Bempton for Red-tailed Rarity - a 7th for Britain!

Bempton RSPB Reserve proved the place to be once again this weekend (3rd July 2022) with yet another mega lifer showing well. The recently split Isabelline Shrike into Daurian and Red-tailed/Turkestan Shrike meant that the Bempton bird would be a new bird for me. So, I endured the long-haul drive to the east coast (and the lengthy walk from the car-park), as well as the torrential downpour the moment I arrived, to then enjoy the most wonderful point-blank views of what was a subtly attractive adult (male?) Red-tailed Shrike. It showed soon after I arrived and the rain had stopped, partially obscured and through a small dark 'hole' in a bush; there it preened for a while before popping up onto a bare twig in full view. From then on, it showed extremely well, often down to 20 yards, and chose a variety of perches, some natural, some man-made. Had it not been constantly backlit, this would have been a photographer's dream. The only disappointment was that the Albatross had chosen to clear off today (it had been showing well at its usual haunt). Anyway, I got lucky on the way to the cliffs - the Shrike turned up again close to the hedge I was walking parallel to. Sadly, it vanished soon after I set eyes on it. Still, I'd had cracking views already and felt that I had more than had my fill. What a stunning bird!