Winchats on Dartmoor

[Chas]

I spent an interesting morning on Dartmoor today and at last managed to see and photograph Winchats. I have been told on lots of occasions that they are common particularly near Sousons Wood but in spite of regular visits hadn't seen them until today. They were showing really well and behaving just as the more common Stonechats do, perching high to get a good look at everything and not really flying away, in fact sometimes they flew nearer to me. I have posted 3 pics on the Gallery.

[Ollie]

Some great shots there Chas.

The whinchat is a bird I've never seen let alone photographed.
Roger

[Ida]

I've never seen a Winchat, so was interested to see your pics.

Nice photos - they almost look like they're posing for the camera.

[Tracey.A]

Hi Chas, love the photos. I was lucky to see quite a lot of these when I was at Creag Meagaidh national nature reserve near Aviemore a few weeks ago. The ones I saw behaved much the same as Stonechats too, although the trees that they perched in were a bit higher and they didn't always sing from the very top the way stonechats do.

Tracey

[deer boy]

Great pics Chas

Btw do you get many deer on Dartmoor

[Chas]

Have seen Roe once this year but I am sure they are very common.

[aeshna5]

Nice shots- a bird I see only as a passage visitor in London at places such as Richmond Park + Wormwood Scrubs.

[djackso]

Lovely shots! I only saw one once, in moorland near Clitheroe. Fantastic to see such clear images.

[ChrisJB]

A great bird the whinchat. A pair has bred in an upland valley near me ever since I was a kid. I always go to see them each May and it is always a thrill when I see them and I know they made it back in one piece.

Regards, Chris

[Chas]

The pair I saw had successfully bred, here is one of the fledglings which is a tiny bit soft and not good enough for the Gallery. I was taken by the adults call which involved an almost ventriloquent single note. Also now I know what they sound like I had been hearing them lots of times without seeing the bird. The noise seemed very similar to a Dartford Warbler but stronger and a little higher pitch. They are very attractive in flight and show white on the tail. I have been told that they are very similar to their close relative the Stonechat but to me they were much bulkier with a stronger looking beak and that "Jizz" thing that people talk about was quite different with them acting more like a finch. It is hard to understand why they are so scarce as we seem to have lots of suitable habitats and sites all over the country. If anyone in my part of the country wants to see them I would be happy to escort!

[Chas]

I have posted more information and different photos on my blog if anyone wants to see more photographs.
Wildlife in a Suburban Garden: Winchats

Thanks,
Chas

[GME]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Some great shots there Chas.

The whinchat is a bird I've never seen let alone photographed.
Roger

Me either! Particularly like the middle photo