Adult Loggerhead Shrike on a Witness Post – Nikon D810, f8, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Earlier this week while looking through older photos I came across this Loggerhead Shrike perched on a Witness Post image and I chuckled out loud. Why?
I wondered what the Loggerhead Shrike had witnessed. Okay, not really. It did seem funny to me that a masked bird that could look like a bandit was perched on a Witness Post. That may or may not say something about my sense of humor.
The shrike and the post were photographed at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on February 26, 2016 so a day more than five years ago.
What is a Witness Post?
A witness mark or post is set as an aid in finding and positively identifying a survey point. Two or more reference marks could also be used to reset the survey mark if required and one of these could be used as a substitute mark when necessary.
Witness posts are usually set by a government agency. I didn’t get out of the “mobile blind” so I don’t know what type of survey marker there may have been near this witness post.
Survey Marker
The survey marker near the witness post may have looked something like the one shown in the photo above. I photographed this marker high in the Wasatch Mountains almost three years ago.
Back to the Shrike
I was delighted to photograph the Loggerhead Shrike at the refuge. These wannabe raptors are interesting songbirds that use their hooked beaks to kill insects, small reptiles, birds, and rodents. They can fly with their prey in their beaks and feet much like most raptors do. Their nickname is “Butcher Bird” because they often impale their prey to cache it like a butcher does when they hang meat to age it.
Over the years that I lived in Utah I have seen the population of Loggerhead Shrikes decline. I used to see them on almost every trip I made to Antelope Island State Park. Now I may see just one shrike in 10 to 12 trips to the island. The vole population crashed on the island in 2012 and from what I have seen it has not bounced back yet. The shrikes used to feed on the voles there regularly.
I see these shrikes in other locations but not in the numbers I used to see them in. Because I see fewer of them I have concerns about the Loggerhead Shrike population in northern Utah.
I enjoy hearing Loggerhead Shrikes call and sing. Their song isn’t what most people would call a song though, some folks might even find it irritating. I like it.
I miss seeing these “Butcher Birds” in the numbers I used to see them in and I get really excited when I see them now. Even when they are perched on a Witness Post.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Loggerhead Shrike photos plus facts and information about this species.
Geeze Eric walked in as I was reading your post, he knew what a Witness Post was, shocked that I didn’t. How does a shut in know all this stuff!
I’m picturing him saying, “Witness THIS!” and giving the one-feather salute. 😉 (I guess we must have similar senses of humor.)
Smiling. Perhaps that small assassin was seeing just what ‘witnesses’ could see of its territory. And preparing to take them out. The only good witness is a dead witness (which undoubtedly says something about my sense of humour).