October 2006 was a good month for orno-rarity, so I'll start with a decent county rare: this first winter isabelline shrike was one of a remarkable two records during the month. Photographed in the dunes adjacent Cresswell Pond on 27th this bird remained until 29th, while earlier in the month another first winter was well inland at a private site near Belsay on 4th. These two birds constituted the second and third county records.
I enjoyed two sessions with the Cresswell bird - light was better on the 27th but the bird performed closer on the 29th! ...I'd love another go at another Northumberland "
isy" as the mark III would be sure to provide better results.
