Birds and Habitats in the SBSG area.
Photographs and Information.

Photographs and Info index page | Data by Site | Recent News | SBSG Home |

Wheatear

Photograph Copyright © Richard D Hill

Mainly an upland specialty, the [Northern] Wheatear has a restricted breeding range in the Sheffield area, mainly in the Peak District. It can be seen it lower lying localities in the south and east of the area as a passage migrant, especially in spring. At the time of writing, the earliest date on record is 26th February [in 1976], but mid-march is more typical.  Blackburn Meadows NR, RVCP and Poolsbrook CP are good examples of the type of place to look at this time. Occasionally there is the odd record of a bird of the Greenland race Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa, known more simply as "Greenland Wheatear". These are big, bright birds and stand out easily when seen next to a typical Northern. But these are few and far between. In summer, look around some of the popular walking areas across the Peak District moorlands or at nearby picnic-sites and you can see them perched on a rock, surveying the area for signs of danger. Into autumn, and there is no finer sight than a small party dropping onto the dam wall at one of the upland reservoirs. These birds are usually moving through on their way back south. Most of the autumn passage takes place during August and September. The final record is usually in early October, although the latest reported was [at the time of writing] on 8th November [in both 1982 and 1987]. This photograph was taken by Richard Hill at Redmires on 1st September 2001 as the bird perched on top of one of the dam walls. Last updated 4th November 2001

Top

Photographs and Info index page | Data by Site | Recent News | SBSG Home |

Copyright © Sheffield Bird Study Group.