[CT Birds] Shrike Question

[greg hanisek]

Paul, I think this definitely qualifies as an invasion. I think you're right on the money in suggesting the shrikes have flown under the radar (so to speak) because of all the interest in northern finches. I just went through the winter reports preparing to do field notes and I came up with about 40 different sightings, doing my best to avoid duplication. Nonetheless it's surely a conservative number. I think you're definitely the champ with 7 different birds.
   
  The biggest Northern Shrike flight since I've been in Conn (1992 onward), was a massive invasion in 1995-96. There were 30 autumn reports, followed by 67 on the Christmas Counts alone, and then at least another 50 during the rest of the winter. 
   
  Greg Hanisek
  Waterbury

paul cianfaglione <pcianfaglione at hotmail.com> wrote:
  


This question may be best directed to long standing members of the birding community or to people familiar with RBA's in other states. I have had 7 Northern Shrikes in the Hartford area this winter and was wondering if this year was going to be considered an "invasion year" for the species. I have never experienced a shrike invasion before, but this winter there seems to be a shrike in every farm field I visit. With all the focus being directed toward finches, I thought that maybe shrikes and their overall numbers maybe flying under the radar this winter.

Paul Cianfaglione
Canton 
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