Stonechat
Saxicola rubicola
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Stonechat is one of the most visible and charismatic small birds on the Sefton Coast dune system. Males are boldly marked — black head, white neck patch, orange-red breast — and perch prominently on top of Heather, Gorse and wire fences, giving their sharp 'tsak-tsak' call (like two stones struck together). They're present year-round on the dune heath at Ainsdale. Females are more subdued but share the habit of prominent perching. One of the birds you're most likely to see on a walk through the dune heath.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Habitat | Dune heath · Heather heath · Gorse scrub · Coastal grassland |
| Diet | Invertebrates — watches from a perch and drops to catch prey on the ground |
| UK population | Around 59,000 pairs; green-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Resident on dune heath at Ainsdale and Birkdale; one of the most visible birds on the dune system |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Dune heath with Heather and Gorse at Ainsdale NNR. Perches on top of heather, bramble and wire fences.
Identification
Small, compact chat. Male: black head, white neck patch, bright orange-red breast, brown back. Female: streaked brown above, orange-buff breast, white wing panel. Both sexes perch prominently. 'Tsak-tsak' call.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the Heather and Gorse areas at Ainsdale in any season. Stonechats perch at the top of vegetation and are immediately obvious. Listen for the sharp 'tsak-tsak' call — they'll be nearby.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species is on the UK Green List, indicating a healthy population status in the UK context. It remains an important component of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Stonechat called a Stonechat?
The name comes from the call — a sharp, clicking 'tsak-tsak' that sounds like two flint stones being struck together. The call is one of the characteristic sounds of coastal heath and is unmistakeable once learned. It's an alarm and contact call used year-round.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.