The wheatear is among the earliest of the summer visitors to arrive in Britain, but may be found only in those areas which suit it - downland, rocky hillsides, cliff headlands, and coastal sand dunes. It is a restless bird, constantly on the move, displaying a conspicuous white rump when in flight. Insects and small worms are its chief food. It nest in holes in rocks and walls or, if it lives in the sand dunes, a rabbit-burrow is used. Wheatears leave Britain in August and September, but a few have been known to linger until November. |