Last year about this time I wrote a post complaining about Loggerhead Shrikes being MIA but this year I don’t have that complaint because I am seeing and hearing these “Butcherbirds” on Antelope Island. Our winter wasn’t as bad or as harsh as the winter of 2012-2013 and the Loggerhead Shrikes appear to have been able to find enough prey to survive on without having to go further south.

Juvenile Loggerhead ShrikeJuvenile Loggerhead Shrike – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1500, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited, called in or set up

Loggerhead Shrikes nest and rear their young on Antelope Island and I am looking forward to juveniles on top of some of the shrubs around late June or early July. The juvenile Loggerhead Shrike in the image above was photographed in very early August of 2010 and at its age it was still being fed by its parents but it was also searching for prey on its own.

Now that Loggerhead Shrikes are calling on Antelope Island I wonder how long it will be before I see the adults carrying nesting materials. We’ll see!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Loggerhead Shrike photos plus facts and information about this species.