Continental type Stonechat

[Damian]

This male Stonechat was trapped and ringed near Brotton this morning and shows features that would suggest that it may be of the continental race rubicola rather than the british race hibernans. The large amount of white in the rump,large white collar and reduced red colouring on the belly/flanks are all rubicola features. The male is part of a pair that are holding territory and look set to breed. This male is not as pale, and doesn't have the large white rump, as the one which bred near here last year,but it certainly is different to the usual ones here.