Whinchat...
Whinchat - Saxicola Rubetra (M)
The whinchat is a solitary species, favouring open grassy country with rough vegetation and scattered small shrubs. It perches in elevated locations ready to pounce on the insects and other small invertebrates that form its diet. The nest is built by the female on the ground in coarse vegetation, with a clutch of four to seven eggs being laid. The hen incubates the eggs for about thirteen days and then both parents feed the nestlings. Fledging takes place about eighteen days after hatching and the parents continue to feed the young for another fortnight. Moulting takes place in late summer before the migration southwards, and again on the wintering grounds in Africa before the migration northwards in spring. The whinchat is a common species with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified it as being of least concern.
Fairly common but local summer migrant from winter grounds in Africa. Found in open country on heathland, moorland, rough grassland, often with bracken. Perches atop bushes and on fences, dropping to the ground to feed, where usually hops briefly before flying back up to a perch. Male distinctive, with bold white eyebrow, dark cheeks, and peachy-orange breast. Female duller but with ghosting of male pattern, especially pale eyebrow. In flight shows distinctive white bases to sides of tail.
Whinchat...
Whinchat - Saxicola Rubetra (M)
The whinchat is a solitary species, favouring open grassy country with rough vegetation and scattered small shrubs. It perches in elevated locations ready to pounce on the insects and other small invertebrates that form its diet. The nest is built by the female on the ground in coarse vegetation, with a clutch of four to seven eggs being laid. The hen incubates the eggs for about thirteen days and then both parents feed the nestlings. Fledging takes place about eighteen days after hatching and the parents continue to feed the young for another fortnight. Moulting takes place in late summer before the migration southwards, and again on the wintering grounds in Africa before the migration northwards in spring. The whinchat is a common species with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified it as being of least concern.
Fairly common but local summer migrant from winter grounds in Africa. Found in open country on heathland, moorland, rough grassland, often with bracken. Perches atop bushes and on fences, dropping to the ground to feed, where usually hops briefly before flying back up to a perch. Male distinctive, with bold white eyebrow, dark cheeks, and peachy-orange breast. Female duller but with ghosting of male pattern, especially pale eyebrow. In flight shows distinctive white bases to sides of tail.