High, soft but intense calls sound from an old clearcut that is now reforesting itself with European Spruce (Picea abies). Between emerging Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Rowan (Sorbus aucupariaeinem), I walk up a slope on a carpet of Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and follow the calls. Right next to a hunter’s perch amidst man-sized spruce trees, a newly fledged young Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) sits on a spruce branch. A male, probably the father, is sitting not far away on an Elderberry branch (Sambucus nigra) sticking out of the hedge.
For several years, a pair of Red-backed Shrikes has been found breeding in this hedge in the middle of a wet meadow landscape in the Black Forest. In this area the Red-backed Shrike has become rare but is still widespread. However, the population density is nowhere very high, The Red-backed Shrike is most likely to be seen in a semi-open, richly structured landscape. It prefers dry and sunny areas with extensive bushes and hedges. No wonder that it is also considered a highly endangered species throughout Germany.
Hedgerow landscapes with elder, hawthorn, blackthorn and blackberry, are the preferred habitat of the Red-backed Shrike. The former clearcut with its fresh growth will probably soon “outgrow” the suitable habitat phase. Overall, the Red-backed Shrike shows amazing adaptations to the ecological niche “hedgerow” in its behavioral spectrum. Both partners participate equally in the approximately fortnightly feeding phase of the young birds in the nest.
Popular perching points, from which the Red-backed Shrike looks for prey, are regularly approached. Therefore, it is relatively easy to photograph the birds from a hiding place, which can also be a hunting hide. The young try to follow the parents after some time and are then also easy to photograph.
The young birds leave the nest still unable to fly and spend their so-called estrus period in the immediate vicinity. During the period when they are young, bushes and low trees, such as spruces, provide the young birds with a protected space to play and try things out. As you will see, the young are always curious and need a save space.
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