Red-backed shrike returns to the Grenspark after half a century

The disappearance of the species

The Red-backed shrike has a wide distribution within Europe, but in Western Europe the species has had very difficult times. In the Kalmthoutse Heide, the last known breeding case even dates back to 1967. On the Dutch side, the species lasted slightly longer, until 1976. This last breeding occurred in an orchard, but when it was cut down, the species had completely disappeared from Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide as a breeding bird.

Back from a deep valley

The species has been crawling very slowly out of a very deep valley in recent years and seems to respond reasonably well to management measures. The species relies on the small scale of the landscape with wood edges, brambles, sufficiently large insects, extensively managed grasslands, ... A combination that can no longer be found in the agricultural areas that are gradually being cut down to size. The species therefore prefers the more extensively managed areas with sufficient variety and food, which fortunately can gradually be found in the Kalmthoutse Heide.

Breeding cases in the Kalmthoutse Heide

In previous years, Red-backed shrikes have been spotted in the Kalmthoutse Heide, but until now this was always on migration to their breeding or wintering grounds. That changed this spring when a courtship pair was observed. Followed not much later by a second pair that settled. Although the first pair called it quits, the second pair did successfully raise three young. So, on the Flemish side, it had been no less than 53 years since the species started breeding. On the Dutch side, there was also good news and two successful breeding cases were discovered in the Grenspark.

A long way to Africa

Although the youngsters have only been flying for a good two weeks, they already face a big challenge. The species overwinters in Africa and getting there is no mean feat. Most of our breeding bird species that winter in Africa fly roughly in a straight line from here to the south, continuing their way across the Mediterranean Sea and across the Sahara. The Red-backed Shrike is somewhat of an outlier in this, first flying all the way to the southeast before descending further south via East Africa. In spring, they follow this route again, making it one of the breeding birds last to return from its wintering grounds. So it remains to be seen whether we can welcome the Red-backed Shrikes back to the Grenspark next year after a very long journey.