Summer-plumage male. Taken at Gilfach, Powys, on May 5th 2022.
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Winter-plumage male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on October 17th 2019.
(1/400th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on November 3rd 2013.
(1/1600th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Juvenile. Taken on Benbecula on May 20th 2019.
(1/320th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 11.5 - 13 cm

The Stonechat is a small Robin-sized bird. Males have striking black heads with white around the side of their neck, orange-red breasts and a mottled brown back. Females lack the male's black head, but have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests.

They are found on the southern and western coasts of Britian and Ireland, and in northern England and Scotland in the summer. Birds over-winter in southern England.

Stonechats breed in open areas with low vegetation, often heather or gorse.

They are frequently seen flicking their wings while perched, often doing so on the tops of low bushes. They utter a sharp loud call that sounds like two stones being tapped together.

Its conservation status is amber, owing to concerns about the European population. There are between 9000 and 23000 breeding pairs in Britain.

Sightings

14-Apr-2024	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(4)
16-Feb-2024	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(3)
13-Jul-2023	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(1)
21-Jun-2023	:	Haddon Hill, Somerset	(4)
20-Jun-2023	:	Haddon Hill, Somerset	(1)
11-Jun-2023	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(1)
21-May-2023	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(2)
03-May-2023	:	Gilfach, Powys	(2)
18-Nov-2022	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(1)
28-Oct-2022	:	Flamborough Head, E. Yorks	(2)
27-Oct-2022	:	Flamborough Head, E. Yorks	(2)
27-Aug-2022	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(2)
20-Aug-2022	:	Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts	(2)
23-Jul-2022	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(1)
10-Jul-2022	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(3)
23-Jun-2022	:	Corney Fell, Cumbria	(3)
22-Jun-2022	:	Irton Fell, Cumbria	(4)
20-Jun-2022	:	Meathop Moss, Cumbria	(1)
12-Jun-2022	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(2)
28-May-2022	:	Hackpen Hill, Oxon	(1m)
05-May-2022	:	Gilfach, Powys	(2)
08-Feb-2022	:	Bury Down, Berks	(2m)
31-Jan-2022	:	Wells Farm, Oxon	(2)
20-Jan-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
01-Dec-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
24-Aug-2021	:	Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts	(2)
26-Jun-2021	:	Silchester Common, Hants	(2m,2f)
28-Mar-2021	:	Greenham Common, Berks	(1m)
26-Feb-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1m)
22-Jan-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
01-Dec-2020	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1m)
04-Nov-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1m,2f)
13-Oct-2020	:	Salthouse, Norfolk	(1m)
11-Oct-2020	:	Salthouse, Norfolk	(1)
11-Oct-2020	:	Kelling Heath, Norfolk	(3)
27-Sep-2020	:	Appleford GPs, Oxon	(1)
15-Sep-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
13-Sep-2020	:	Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon	(4)
13-Jun-2020	:	Silchester Common, Hants	(2)
18-Feb-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
06-Feb-2020	:	Cley Marshes, Norfolk	(2)
12-Jan-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
02-Jan-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
17-Oct-2019	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
02-Oct-2019	:	Kelling Heath, Norfolk	(1)
13-Aug-2019	:	Greenham Common, Berks	(1)
04-Aug-2019	:	Greenham Common, Berks	(12)
20-May-2019	:	Liniclate, Benbecula	(2juv)
04-May-2019	:	Gilfach, Powys	(2)
17-Feb-2019	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1m,1f)