stonechat

This female is the mate of the male I just posted.

Most of the Stonechats are moulting just now, in a couple of weeks they will be looking as good as new.

Stonechat http://johnfoss.yolasite.com/stonechat.php

A Male from this morning.

African Stonechat at Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

Stonechat ( "ptre"= berger. In english :shepherd). Adult male. Brenne ( Berry). July 2014.

Imagine leaving the nest for the first time and landing on a Bramble stem, ouch. He looks very unsure.

Juvenile perched in the rain.

A winter migrant to India, I was surprised to see iy as far down south as Maharashtra in India.

Those flies were everywhere and not in photo were Sand Martins swooping in for them. The Stonechats could catch them without leaving the perch.

Thanks everyone for all the comments this week. will catch up later

Very common here - but still beautiful.

Ullswater has to be one of the most beautiful places in Britain. And I love painting the chat family. What more can I say. Hope you enjoy my experience of painting this combination.

Mostly Males about just now, as most of the Females will be sitting on eggs.

There always seems to be a twig or branch in the way! ;)

A singing Male.

Stonechat doing what stonechats love to do and that is perch at the top of the reed. It makes a lovely bookmark. The stonechat was to fare away to make a closer image but I could see that I could use this image for another purpose so I called it bookmark.

Well we actually got out for a walk yesterday - mind you, we got soaked on the way back to the car! Surprised to see this Stonechat, first time we've come across one on our local patch!