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
The Flower of the Vine returnsWheatears are back on Westray. They've made their way from Africa to Westray to raise their families in hollows, rabbit… read more
Oenanthe oenantheThe Northern Wheatear's scientific name is Oenanthe oenanthe. It means 'Flower of the Vine' in Ancient Greek. Its binomial name… read more
A Wheatear explosionI've never been able to get close to Wheatears before. They are very wary birds. There are a few families… read more
Golden lightThe light is incredible on the west coast of Westray. It's golden, and reflects beautifully off the Atlantic onto the… read more
Westside WheatearsI've taken to walking the Westside of Westray. Yes, I've been taking a Walk on the Westside. The glorious weather… read more
ChuckieA walk up the west coast of Westray revealed several pairs of Wheatear, which are very active at the moment.… read more
WheatearWheatears are very wary birds. They bounce away to the next perch as soon as you approach. Walking along a… read more