Lookout
Northern Wheatear are powerful birds and migrate to Africa for our winter. It’s astonishing that so soon after being an egg they are off, flying thousands of miles.
Wheatear undertake one of the longest migrations for their body size in the animal kingdom. Their breeding range has spread across northern and central Asia, Europe, Greenland, Alaska, and even areas of Canada, yet all of the birds migrate to Africa for our winter. They can’t help it. It would be sensible for some of them to migrate south and winter in Asia, but so far they haven’t adapted to do that, and all stream back to Africa instead. Maybe one day a few intrepid explorers might break the pattern, but until then, they’re set in their ways across evolutionary time.
More Wheatears
A curious Wheatear I sometimes wonder why Wheatears are so difficult to get close to. Then I remember that we have killed and… read more
Wheatears full of character Wheatear know how to strike a pose. Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe, are small yet very powerful birds. They have been… read more
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
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
A Wheatear explosion I've never been able to get close to Wheatears before. They are very wary birds. There are a few families… read more
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
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
