The Stonechat family of Trendlebere Down #3
If there’s an hour to spare I want to be with my new, adoptive family. There’s Mr Stonechat:
And there’s Mrs Stonechat:
They are both beautiful, perched as high as they can be, above the Gorse on Trendlebere Down. The light here today on East Dartmoor gives everything a painterly effect.
There’s a distinct ‘fluffballs on brittlesticks’ look about them:
They’re working hard to feed a family. I’m sitting in a Gorse bush watching them. I’d love to see their nest or spot their chicks but that wouldn’t be good for them. The disturbance and the anxiety I would cause them would outweigh any pleasure I might get from doing it.
The female’s found something tasty:
The male’s on the lookout. He looks quite feisty to me.
I’m glad I’m a long-lens away.
More Stonechats
A Stonechat consolation prize I don't normally 'twitch' for birds. If there's a rarity somewhere I'll usually go about my business as normal, without… read more
Sunbathing Stonechat Sunbathing is appealing to birds. This stonechat is lapping up the sunshine here on Dartmoor. It could be sunbathing because… read more
My favourite fledglings A trip to Dartmoor at this time of year is a great opportunity to see Stonechat fledglings. They're slightly uncoordinated… read more