The pose of a Stonechat

A stranger in my part of North West England but common elsewhere is this endearing bird with its very distinctive call. Seen on our way to Burgh Island, Devon.

Saxicola rubicola - A small, dumpy chat, the stonechat is a little smaller than a robin. It has a big head and short tail. It can frequently be seen sitting on the top of gorse bushes, flicking its wings and making a call like two small stones being hit together. Stonechats inhabit heaths, bogs and conifer plantations.