Species Spotlight-Greenland Wheatear

March in the Dee Estuary heralds the commencement of the spring and there is perhaps no other bird which epitomises the start of the arrival of migrant birds from Africa to the Dee more so than the Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe).

The Wheatear is one of the most familiar long distance migrants to birders in the UK as it is one of the earliest to pass through in spring. Wheatears are amazingly widespread with some even breeding in Alaska, north-east Canada and Greenland. All of these birds along with European and Asian populations winter in Africa.

The first birds arrive in the Dee usually in the second week of March and these birds are often seen at Hilbre, Redrocks or Burton Marsh. These early birds are almost always males, who are racing back to the breeding areas to find the best territory. The first ones back are of the nominate race and are probably birds heading north to breed in northern England and Scotland. After mid April, however, distinctly larger individuals are observed on Hilbre and measuring of captured birds has confirmed that they are of the Greenland race (Oenanthe oenanthe leucorrhoa).

To catch the Wheatears we use small portable traps called ‘Potter’ traps. The birds are often very inquisitive and investigate the trap for food - setting off a spring balance, which closes a door behind them. They are then extracted from the trap by experienced ringers licensed by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology), and they are taken back to the Bird Observatory to be identified, measured, weighed and ringed before release for their onward journey north.

Since we first started using Potter traps we have caught an increasing number of birds each year with 45 birds being ringed in the year 2000 alone. Of these 45 birds an incredible 31 were identified as being of the Greenland race (see photograph), these birds migrating up the west-coast of Britain and then across the north Atlantic to Greenland.

Ringing recoveries from Britain and Europe, confirm that Greenland Wheatears migrate south-east in the Autumn to western Europe and furthermore they suggest that after making landfall they then head south-west into west Africa were they winter (see map).

The best places to look for Wheatears (including the Greenland form) at Hilbre are on the West side of the main Island or on Middle Eye during March-May and again during August-October. The histogram below shows the spring passage of Wheatears which occurred at Hilbre in 2001 (reproduced from the Hilbre Bird Report 2001), there are two distinct peaks in March / early April (nominate race) and late April / early May (Greenland race).

We, at Hilbre Bird Observatory and Ringing Station, always look forward to the first Wheatear of the spring and we are now looking forward to our first recovery of a Hilbre ringed Greenland Wheatear.

From 2003 Hilbre Bird Observatory will be colour ringing the Wheatears that we catch in the hope that they are sighted elsewhere. This is part of a national scheme co-ordinated by the BTO. If you see a colour-ringed Wheatear (Northern or Greenland) please send details either direct to Hilbre Bird Osbervatory or the BTO.

Steve Williams - Hilbre Bird Observatory