Whinchats on Norfolk coast. (1 Viewer)

[eastcoastbirder]

Hi everyone, whenever I walk along the Norfolk Coastal Path at Horsey I see birds which I always identify as whinchats but all information on the distribution of whinchats in the UK says they migrate in the winter. I have also seen a map describing them as a passage migrant along the East Anglian coast. Can anyone confirm that whinchats are at Horsey all year round or am I mis- identifying the birds? Regards, Neil

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Am pretty sure you'll be seeing Stonechats. Whinchats are long-distance migrants going to sub-Saharan Africa in the winter. Female Stonechats can look quite similar to Whinchats. You would only be likely to see Whinchats there on migration e.g. in April/May and August/ September.

 

[Butty]

Almost certainly stonechats. Or something else altogether.

 

[Richard Prior]

Welcome to Birdforum Neil. Your birds will no doubt be Stonechat which are all year round residents.

 

[eastcoastbirder]

Thanks for your advice everyone and I accept they are stonechats. It’s just that they all appear to be females. None of the individuals I’ve seen have the distinctive plumage of the males. I will try to photograph them next time.

 

[tconzemi]

Have a look at the BirdForum gallery and look for winter males, they look similar to females in winter

Search results for query: Stonechat | rubicola, -Fuerteventura, -"Canary Islands"

www.birdforum.net

 

[Butty]

Do you have a field guide? It will show you all this sort of stuff 👍🏼

 

[Prestdj]

Do you have a field guide? It will show you all this sort of stuff 👍🏼

so true a field guide notebook and pen are essential for birding

 

[eastcoastbirder]

Picked up a telephoto lens and returned to Horsey this afternoon and got a few shots of the stonchats, male and female. Lovely birds and quite obliging when it comes to having their photograph taken. Also saw a couple of marsh harriers, a couple of kestrels, what I'm pretty sure are corn buntings, sky larks and unusually (for this corner of Norfolk) a red kite.

 

[Kilrymont]

Since the whole Covid came and shifted habit patterns, it seems that shore sites (around here) are now daily thronged with people, dogs, motorhomes, music, and my case even - a burger caravan! Since this explosion really took root I’ve seen not one Stonechat in this area. The regional council are largely to blame for this as they list-identified this site - and others, and introduced visiting parking wardens, fines - and the inevitable parking ticket machines. Now? can hardly get near the place at times. I’ve abandoned it to the city throngs.

 

[Derbyfella]

Picked up a telephoto lens and returned to Horsey this afternoon and got a few shots of the stonchats, male and female. Lovely birds and quite obliging when it comes to having their photograph taken. Also saw a couple of marsh harriers, a couple of kestrels, what I'm pretty sure are corn buntings, sky larks and unusually (for this corner of Norfolk) a red kite.

Interestingly I spent this weekend in Norfolk….saw 4 red kites at Glandford, also a couple at Snettisham…I have to say it was noticeable how many I’d do seemingly see compared to previous years.