A Wheatear explosion

I’ve never been able to get close to Wheatears before. They are very wary birds. There are a few families along the Westside in Westray, so I decide to try meeting one of them on my walk.

Two miles in I stumble across a family, recently exploded from a nest, working the coast of Westray for insects. I watch them approach from a distance and decide to lie down, camera in hand, and wait for them. I’m lying very still, hoping they won’t be concerned by my presence. I’m wearing full camouflage, have my hood up, and moulded my body into the landscape.

They bounce, flit, mount grassy hillocks, call, and watch for predators as they approach. Then they are all around me. I can’t tell whether there are three freshly-fledged juveniles or four because there’s so much activity. One is too close to focus on. They seem to know I’m there but aren’t concerned. They are powerful birds with a wonderful presence.

Here’s one in a pose I love:

Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I’m getting scores of great photographs as they surround me. There seems to be plenty of food here, as they make their way south along the spongy wet cliff-tops. Then they’re off again, working the cliffs for food. Soon, they’ll be off on migration, over land and sea, thousands of miles south.

What a lovely experience.

More Wheatears

Northern Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) The Flower of the Vine returns Wheatears are back on Westray. They've made their way from Africa to Westray to raise their families in hollows, rabbit… read more
Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Oenanthe oenanthe The Northern Wheatear's scientific name is Oenanthe oenanthe. It means 'Flower of the Vine' in Ancient Greek. Its binomial name… read more
Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Lookout Northern Wheatear are powerful birds and migrate to Africa for our winter. It's astonishing that so soon after being an… read more
Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Golden light The light is incredible on the west coast of Westray. It's golden, and reflects beautifully off the Atlantic onto the… read more
Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Westside Wheatears I've taken to walking the Westside of Westray. Yes, I've been taking a Walk on the Westside. The glorious weather… read more
Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Chuckie A walk up the west coast of Westray revealed several pairs of Wheatear, which are very active at the moment.… read more
Wheatear - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Wheatear Wheatears are very wary birds. They bounce away to the next perch as soon as you approach. Walking along a… read more
Wheatear - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) The most delicious taste for a creature of one mouthful It's always a delight to see a Wheatear. They're quite incredible in their capacity to migrate. They can travel many… read more
Northern Wheatear - Westray - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) i-Ronny How much do we have the freedom to do whatever we please and how much are we blind robots carrying… read more

Feel free to leave a Reply :)