Wheatears – nothing to do with wheat, ears or even ears of wheat

The name Wheatear sounds so romantic, so descriptive and so elegant. Wheatear.

In fact the name is a polite form of its proper name.

Its name has nothing to do with wheat, ears or even ears of wheat. Its proper name is White Arse.

There are plenty of White Arses on Westray at the moment but they flit from post to post always keeping a frustrating distance away. As soon as I get close all I see is… well, all I see is their white arses flying away from me.