Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Mystery Bird – Wheatear

Wheatear

Early evening on Saturday 20 September this bird settled on a headstone in Ryde Cemetery and let me take its photograph.

Unsure what breed of bird it was I consulted my books and I thought it might be a Garden Warbler, but I’m no expert so I asked several members of the group of they could identify it. The group members came up with a number of ideas as to what it could be including, Chiffchaff, Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, White Robin, Garden Warbler and Icterine Warbler.

Obviously we were all very confused so I decided to consult the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to see if they could help. Jane Somerville, WildLine Assistant, replied and has informed me “The bird is a Wheatear – a migrant on its way back to Africa after nesting in the uplands
of Britain. It shows a bright white rump in flight.
Lots will be seen at this time of year and again in the spring”.

Click on the image to enlarge the photo.

Janette Gregson
Chairman Ryde Social Heritage Group

 

Related Website: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Website URL: http://www.hwt.org.uk/