[TN-Bird] Shrike in Campbell County

Loggerhead Shrike in Campbell County,  TN  
   Behaviour

Despite not posting much in recent days, I do continue to "lurk" on-line
and see all the goodies all over the state and still keep an eye to the
sky as I travel about the area  though I have not posted anything lately.
On the 16th of December, I found a Loggerhead Shrike in an area of
Campbell County, TN  (N . of Knoxville)  in the Fincastle Community. 
(Powell Valley) This is the closest location to the town of Lafollette
that I have seen a Shrike in 8 years, despite many hours of looking. I
have only seen one other Shrike in the County. The location is
approximately 3 miles from the city limit and relatively easy to find if
anyone wants to email me off the TN list for exact directions, will be
glad to oblige you.  The other Shrike I have seen was out in the Doak's
Creek community about 9 miles further up the valley towards Middlesboro,
KY a couple years ago.
     I returned to the area last Sunday and located the bird near the
same location I  first found him, but on a different perch. Interesting
behavior is that this bird  hunts from a certain perch dropping down on
prey 2-3  times, then he leaves that area and flies a direct route 
aprox. 500-800  feet away without stopping  to "work" a graveyard and
it's perimeter. After observing this individual for a couple hours, his
habits were pretty interesting. Obviously they forage over a much larger
area of territory not only in breeding season, but also in winter than I
was aware of. Perhaps this is why they are so hard to locate. At times he
would fly completely out of sight towards the end of a huge field,
perhaps 1,000 feet or so, only to return to the same graveyard (or
vicinity of a radius of about 1/2 mile.  after about 15 minutes). I
watched him do this several times. He did not seem to have a "favorite"
perch, as many of the Shrikes I have observed in times past, but used
various heights of hunting platforms, including the stone grave markers
very close to the ground.   Of concern was a feral cat nearby and
obviously watching him for an opportunity to dine  several times as the
Shrike  dropped to the ground to eat. He even sat ON the ground a couple
times eating something. Strange behavior it seemed to me for a Shrike to
not return to a sharp perch to impale and "pluck" his meal. 
The habitat is huge open fields/ horse pastures and of course barb wire
fences with shrubbery/ trees lining it that they love so much.   

Nell Moore 
Caryville, TN     N of Knoxville   Campbell County 
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