One species I can almost guarantee to encounter on any of my strolls across local heathland habitats is the STONECHAT (Saxicola torquata).
Most often located on an elevated perch usually 1m to 1.6m high as it waits and watches for tiny meal on the ground before moving on to another perch to repeat the same vigil or leaping into the air to snatch a flying insect.
Stonechats are a noisy and nervous species and on a recent encounter both a male and female were very vocal, constantly uttering the distinctive 'chack' .. 'chack' call to distract attention from their youngsters who had flown into cover when a Great Spotted Woodpecker alighted in a nearby tree.
On the lookout for any aerial predators.
Not wishing to upset this family any further I kept my distance and quickly captured a few poses using the 450D and 70-300mm lens which have all been cropped. FAB.
Linking to I'D-Rather-B-Birdin' and Wild Bird Wednesday.
Stonechats are a noisy and nervous species and on a recent encounter both a male and female were very vocal, constantly uttering the distinctive 'chack' .. 'chack' call to distract attention from their youngsters who had flown into cover when a Great Spotted Woodpecker alighted in a nearby tree.
Linking to I'D-Rather-B-Birdin' and Wild Bird Wednesday.
i love their earthy coloration. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat set of a lovely bird Frank.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly can be noisy when you get too close to their territory.
The only time I get to see these with any regularity is when I visit Wales.
You got som excellent shots of this pretty bird. Have a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHI Frank Yes these birds are very vocal when they are protecting something but they are a lovely bird especially the male. Hope you are having a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how birds can land safely on such prickly perches.
ReplyDeleteMore great shots of a stunning little bird that i can watch for hours.
ReplyDeleteTo have this beauty wherever you walk on the trails/habitat, would be an awesome experience. They're very pretty and I can only imagine their song.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up this weekend.
Frank, you caught the Stonechats, hard to get one, brilliant photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots .. Congratulations and greetings.
ReplyDeleteThe coloring in the male reminds my of our Towhees with the black, white and rust coloration. Are they sparrow sized?...:)JP
ReplyDeleteFabulous shots!
ReplyDeleteThey are exotic to me here north of Canada so a treat for me to see them.
ReplyDeleteLove how alert they look perched up high ... Sounds as if the chat part of their name is appropriate !
ReplyDeleteThe Stonechat does have pretty coloring.. Great photo series! Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute and interesting little bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat series.
ReplyDelete