Grey Shrikes in the Smeethof and on Sint Maartensheide

Grey Shrikes in the Smeethof and on Sint Maartensheide

The red-backed shrike is known as the Zorro of birds because of the black stripe across its eye. In the 1990s, the last breeding pair in Flanders lived in the Kempenbroek, but since then the population has been making a remarkable comeback.

Comeback since the 1990s

At the end of the 1990s, only one breeding pair of this Zorro of the bird world remained in Flanders, and that was on the Sint-Maartensheide. Fortunately, a targeted nature conservation plan by Natuurpunt Bree was able to turn the tide.

Meadows were skilfully fenced off with thorny hedges and provided with solitary domes with oak, blackthorn, hawthorn and blackberries in the middle. The red-backed shrike seized this opportunity with both feet and the population has now expanded to at least 60 breeding pairs in the surrounding nature reserves of the Kempenbroek.


Small-scale extensive agricultural landscape

Look for this species mainly in small-scale natural landscapes with a patchwork of hedgerows, copses, meadows (preferably with livestock) and fields. It is often found on the tops of thorny bushes or oak trees in its territory. Impaled prey such as large beetles on barbed wire betray its presence.

If you would like to admire this special bird for yourself, be sure to ask us for some tips to save yourself hours of searching. It is not permitted to enter the meadows where breeding pairs are present, but with a little detective work, you will find a location where, with a little patience and a good telephoto lens, you can photograph it from the footpath.

Contact us for more information about the red-backed shrike in the Kempenbroek.

    Target group

    Ontdek onze activiteiten in de natuur

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