Stonechat (1 Viewer)

T

The Cyclist

Member

• Aug 25, 2017

• #1

For the past two or three years we get a Stonechat visiting our garden in the last two weeks of August. I have never seen one anywhere near where I live other than this one at the end of August. What are they up to ?

I regularly see them down on the Northumberland coastline just in from the dunes. But never inland - so why would we get one for the same couple of weeks in our garden ?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Aug 25, 2017

• #2

It'll be young birds out exploring, looking for a new home when their parents send them packing (technical term: post-breeding dispersal).

 

T

The Cyclist

Member

• Sep 2, 2017

• #3

I would go along with this post breeding dispersal but they are not a bird I ever see in this area apart for the one that as visited us for the last 2 weeks in August for the past few years. Presumably if they are young looking for new territory they must decide this is the wrong place and head back to the coast.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Sep 2, 2017

• #4

Yep, that, or back to the hills - there's quite a lot of Stonechats in the Cheviots and other hills now, after the run of mild winters in the last 4-5 years. But you're right, gardens are not their normal habitat, so they won't stay.