Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Wheatears

3 Wheatears this evening on top fields above Claremount. The Anglo-Saxon name for these birds is/was 'White Arse'!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Indeed it was White Arse and I recall in the Keighley area that this name was used up to around 100 years ago, according to records. Call 'em what they like, I luv 'em!

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AndyC said...

Another name was 'Fallow Chat'and was a favouite delicacy on victorian dinner - tables.Look out for 'Greenlands 'coming through soon.(longer wings with 6 visible primary tips)Also brighter , larger and longer legs.(some have shorter tail)

AndyC said...

The complete guide to the Birdlife of Britain and europe 'by Hayman and Rob Hume has a good id page on WHEATEAR/Greenlands and can be picked up cheaply in second hand book shops.