Two weeks ago I was delighted to see my first wheatears of the autumn down on the Marshes, however yesterday I was treated to a lovely surprise of three whinchats feeding along one of the field edges. This is a definite site tick for me (always great to get a site tick!) and possibly a first for the site altogether - watch this space!
Whinchat breed in more upland areas in the north and west of the UK, but have a breeding range extending across Europe and into Asia. They winter in tropical Africa, moving southwards throughout August and September, where they can be seen pretty much anywhere - including Beckingham Marshes!
Their scientific name, Saxicola rubetra, means 'rock dweller', an understandable name considering they are often to be seen breeding on moors and heaths in the UK, using rocks as perches and song posts.
Whinchat - male and female. Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)