[EBB Sightings] Shrike

I saw a shrike today at Arrowhead and, but for earlier postings on a 
possible Northern, would have assumed the bird was a Loggerhead.  I have 
no experience with Northerns.

This bird was on the entry road:  beyond the start of the first pond, 
look for the service road "no dumping" signs on the left.  The bird was 
perched in bare trees about 50 yards beyond that sign.  I observed it 
with a spotting scope in good light for 35 minutes between 11:30 and 
12:05.

The size of the bird was about right for Loggerhead.  The back was 
within the expected color range for Loggerhead.  The mask was broad. 
The bottom part of the mask extended to the beak, which was noticeably 
hooked.  Under close examination with a scope, it was possible to see 
that the top of the eye was slightly higher than the top of the mask. 
Above the eye, and extending to the beak the feathering was slightly 
paler than the surrounding face.

I could not differentiate using Rusty's suggested flight patterns.  This 
bird dropped to the ground several times, and returned to the same or 
nearby trees.  Hopped around a bit in one tree; but didn't really travel 
during the time I was there.  At one point it helicoptered right near 
the ground (!) then landed briefly before returning to a tree.

Likely the same bird photographed by Wendy.  Let me know if there's a 
reasonable doubt!

Kay Loughman
Berkeley