Wheatear

White rump flash

The wheatear’s most conspicuous field mark is its white rump — a bright flash visible in flight as the bird bobs and flies away, contrasting with the dark tail tip and wings. This flash is extremely conspicuous in even dull light and allows identification at considerable distance. The name “wheatear” has nothing to do with wheat or ears but is a corruption of the Old English “white arse.”

Early arrival

Wheatears are among the earliest arriving summer migrants to Britain — the first birds appear on south-coast headlands and in southern uplands from late February or early March. They arrive weeks before most insect-eating migrants, sustained by the relatively mild coast. The early birds are often males arriving in smart spring plumage: blue-grey back, black eye mask, warm buff-orange breast, and that white rump.

Greenland crossing

The Greenland wheatear (O. o. leucorhoa) passes through Britain on migration twice a year, making one of the most remarkable journeys of any passerine. In autumn, Greenland-breeding birds must cross approximately 3,000 km of open ocean from Greenland to Britain (or directly to Iberia) non-stop — a feat requiring extraordinary fat reserves. They have evolved longer wings than the European race to support this endurance migration.

Nest sites

Wheatears nest in holes — rabbit burrows, dry stone wall cavities, rock crevices, and old mining spoil heaps. The nest is a cup of grass and moss hidden deep within the chosen cavity, well away from the entrance. They favour areas with short turf where invertebrate prey (beetles, flies, spiders) can be found on bare ground.