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Rare Turkestan Shrike Sighted at UK Nature Reserve
8 Oct
Summary
- Turkestan shrike, a rare bird from Central Asia, spotted at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk
- 13th recorded sighting of the species in the UK, a first for the Dunwich Heath reserve
- Birdwatchers flocked to the site to photograph the adult male bird
On October 2nd, 2025, birdwatchers at the Dunwich Heath nature reserve on the Suffolk coast reported the sighting of a rare Turkestan shrike, also known as a red-tailed shrike. This migratory bird, which originates from central Asia, is believed to have been spotted in the UK only 12 times prior to this latest observation.
The team at the National Trust Dunwich Heath and Beach were "delighted" to confirm the arrival of the Turkestan shrike, describing it as a "very special" event. Photographer Bob Knight, who captured images of the adult male bird, said it was a "very rare, vagrant" visitor to the UK, typically migrating south from central Asia at this time of year.
The Dunwich Heath sighting is significant, as previous records of the Turkestan shrike in the UK had suggested it was more commonly seen as a spring visitor. The appearance of this individual in October has piqued the interest of birdwatchers, leading to an increase in visitors to the reserve hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive bird.
The National Trust team has encouraged visitors to use the car park and keep the paths clear, as the Turkestan shrike continues to hunt for large insects from its high perches on the heath. Experts believe the bird may soon move on after feeding well in the area, as it continues its autumn migration.
