The 'Chats'

[Merlin]

By far my most favourite birds, the Stonechat just edging ahead of the Whinchat in popularity for me. I'm afraid both pics are grossly over cropped and therefore not up to my standards.

I was amazed to find on the RSPB website that the Stonechat is in the 'Red' and the Whinchat in the 'Green' surely the converse is the case and have concluded the website is not up to date.

Enquiries are afoot.


Pete.

[Chocky]

They are lovely little birds Pete. Nice captures
The RSPB says they the stonechats are Amber status and yes the Whinchats are green

[rolf]

Yes a big favourite of mine as well, missed one the other day, as could hear it, but couldn't see it.

[Merlin]

Yes I was incorrect in claiming the RSPB had the Stonechat 'Red' when I should have said 'Amber' but I still find this difficult to understand Beryl particularly in the case of the Whinchat.


Pete.

[Chocky]

There are stone chats at Yateley Park in Hants and some down here I haven't seen a whinchat knowingly
I have a video of a Stonechat taken at Yateley Park Rolf and I visited there patch. they are lovely little birds a I said but yes unfortunately in the Amber

[Merlin]

I'm doing some reading on this subject now Beryl which 'may' allow me to change my stand on the status issue but only slightly. I have already found that the BTO suggest a change in status for the Stonechat may be in order.


Pete.

[Chocky]

Oh. Change which way?

[Merlin]

From my extensive surveys of the Stonechat over ten years.....to a definite Green Beryl though I would concede peak numbers 'may' now be at its highest.

Also, take it from me the Whinchat status is certainly in need of an update and needs to be Amber and probably teetering on Red in my opinion. The Whinchats problems may rest in their wintering quarters and I'm not sure anyone knows what these problems are.


Pete.

[Chocky]

Oh right . Thanjs for that

[Merlin]

The explanation for the confused status ratings for Stonechat/Whinchat is that there is a review due this year and I think we will find a drastic difference when this comes out.

The Stonechat has seen an increase of more than 200% and the Whinchat a decrease of 25% but off hand I cannot remember over what period of time to be precise about this.


Pete.

[Babs]

I have never seen a Winchat, they look a really nice bird thanks for sharing the pic Pete. The only place I have ever seen Stonechats was at Angelsey and most recently on the Isle of Luing in the Scottish Isles they were everywhere. They loved to perch on the telegraph wires in large groups.