Great grey shrikes are uncommon winter visitors to the UK from Scandinavia, occupying territories on heathland and forest edges where they hunt small mammals and birds from prominent perches.
Great grey shrike welfare in the UK depends on access to undisturbed heathland with varied vegetation structure providing hunting perches and prey. Repeated disturbance from birdwatchers at the same site can displace birds from established hunting territories, forcing energy expenditure in relocation during the critical winter period.