Stonechat Obsession Continues

Stonechat Obsession Continues
Stonechat Obsession Continues

A vibrant, rusty orange chest leads up to a chocolate brown head, colours that match the falling leaves that slowly drift to the ground from the autumn trees, the only separation between the two contrasting colours, is a thin white line like that of a vicars collar. Perching on the thin wire fence, the sound of two stones knocking together followed by a soft peep accompanies the tail flicking of this tiny, stunning bird, a bird that I fully admit to have a slight obsession with. Here in front of me sits one of the UK’s most beautiful birds a Stonechat.

Stonechat Obsession Continues

Last winter I became obsessed with a pair of Stonechat that took residence for the winter, I mentioned it last week in Soundscapes and Memories, well it seems a pair have arrived this year and are favouring the area just behind the Farm Hide, their evocative calls can be heard as they hop around the fences or are chased by a rather pugnacious Robin, who is not happy to have any competition in his territory.

Stonechat Obsession Continues
Stonechat Obsession Continues
Pin Me.

The stunning colours, those most reminiscent of autumn that you could hope to find on a bird, stand out from the green fields or the white of the passing sheep. The male is very confiding, happy to allow quite a close approach, and unusual habit, but one I am very grateful for.

Male Stonechat
Male Stonechat

 

Stonechat on a Post
Stonechat on a Post

 

Stunning Male Stonechat
Stunning Male Stonechat

 

A Maze of Posts
A Maze of Posts

 

Getting Closer
Getting Closer

 

Who You Looking at?
Who You Looking at?

 

Male Stonechat
Male Stonechat

 

Another of the Stonechats
Another of the Stonechats

 

Such a Stunner
Such a Stunner

Other Wildlife

Beyond the stunning stonechats the majority of the patch was pretty quiet, typically although I was here Tuesday and am back today yesterday a stunning Knot appeared, along with 3 Dunlin, sadly one day birds, and as with all one day birds they appear on days I am working.

A couple of Green Sandpiper, the usual , ducks and geese, good numbers of Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, a few Linnet, Redwing and Fieldfare flocks, but nothing much to shout about.

Green Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper

 

Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull

 

Goldfinch
Goldfinch

 

Goldfinch Feeding
Goldfinch Feeding

 

Reed Bunting
Reed Bunting
Did you enjoy Stonechat Obsession Continues? Or find it useful? The please share with your friends, via the links below.
Like it? Share it!

10 Comments

    • AshleyBeolens

      I love Goldfinches too, but for some reason very few of my photos of them work out, I'm really not sure why, thankfully the distance in this one worked for a change 🙂

    • AshleyBeolens

      Thank you.

      That is great to hear the world needs more children to become obsessed with nature, they will be the guardians of the future 🙂

  • Lauren

    What beautiful birds! I don't think I've ever seen a stonechat, so lovely to see some photos of them. Love the goldfinches on the teasels too. #ChasingNature

  • Kelly Robinson

    I really do love the little stonechat. I haven't seen many since moving to Wales but used to see them in Essex. I love how beautiful your photographs are and you help me with my ID skills by naming what your photograph! Thank you again for linking up to #ChasingNature with another wonderful post!

    • AshleyBeolens

      Glad the naming helps 🙂 I've never understood why people don't, I know if I don't recognise something I want to know what it is 🙂

  • Tamsin Mathias

    I absolutely love your photos – they're stunning!
    I don't think I've ever seen a stonechat. But, I did see the a robin today for the first time this year! Haha!

    #ChasingNature

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.  Learn more