I am intrigued by the numbers of late wheatears being seen. This is a record shot(euphemism for rubbish pic) of one in the Leri boatyard showing rusty colouring all down its front. It looked a bit ill but the day after this Bob saw 25 there.
Today I spent 3 hours on my BBS in the hills around the Upper Doethie and did not record a single wheat or stonechat along a 3 km transect. Only saw 2 wheatears and 1 stonechat on the way in.
Altho the moor was showing the effects of decreased stocking (yes, heather and bilberry were poking thru' the molinia) I can't believe the habitat has changed so much to discourage their presence. I hope there are some still to arrive on the breeding grounds tho' I think the stonies have suffered this winter.