Northern Wheatear

📍 Local Expert Tip

“The Wheatear is a a regular passage migrant in Spring and Autumn. Shoreham Fort often records the first birds heading north in Spring from mid-March but can be found anywhere along the coast. Regularly seen during Autumn migration in the Downs along the Monarch’s Way footpath, Truleigh Hill, Cissbury Ring etc.”

🔍 Overview

A striking, very scarce breeding summer visitor and common passage migrant; very rare in mid-winter. One of the earliest returning summer visitors.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Size: Small (14–15 cm)

Male: Grey back, black wings and face mask, peachy chest

Female: Duller with brown tones

Tail: Distinctive black ‘T’ shape on white rump

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Seen on coastal fields, downs, and stony ground— Goring Gap, Shoreham Harbour, and Cissbury Ring are hotspots.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Call is a soft “chack” or “whit.” Shy, ground-feeding, often bobbing tail.

🍴 Diet

Insects, beetles, spiders.

📸 Birding Tip

Look out for them on fence posts and grass tufts during spring/autumn migration.