By Ed Cullinane

A rare bird - known as a "butcher" for its grisly hunting tactics - has been spotted in Kent.

A great grey shrike was pictured with a small mouse in its beak near Ashford.

Only about 100 of the birds are thought to come to these shores during the winter - making the sighting special for amateur photographer Chris Newman, 66.

The shrike is nicknamed the "butcher bird" for its brutal method of impaling insects, small mammals and even small birds on thorns to store them for later.

In the photo the black, grey and white shrike is seen holding its prey while sitting on a branch.

Chris Newman says he believes the photo - taken at Hothfield Heath on Tuesday, April 11 - is one of the only pictures of the bird in the UK with a mouse in its beak.

The former vet said: "They're evil little creatures.

"It impales its prey and builds itself a bit of a larder so you can often find small birds, beetles, and newts impaled on thorns to eat for a later date."