Stonechat
Saxicola rubicola
UK Green ListEasy to see📍 Foulshaw Moss
Season
Year-round. Heath and moorland.
Best time of day
Morning. Perches on tops.
Lake District
Foulshaw Moss. Heath. Moorland edge. That tick. Black head. Orange breast. Perches on gorse. Common. Easy to see.
UK population
Around 60,000 pairs. Recovered.
Overview
Stonechats perch. That tick. Black head. Orange breast. Foulshaw Moss. Gorse. Heath. Common. Easy to see. They flick their wings.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Habitat | Heath · Moorland edge · Gorse |
| Diet | Insects. Perches and drops. |
| UK population | Around 60,000 pairs. Recovered. |
| Lake District | Foulshaw Moss. Heath. Moorland edge. That tick. Black head. Orange breast. Perches on gorse. Common. Easy to see. |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Heath, moorland edge. Foulshaw Moss, Grizedale, the fells. That tick. Black head. Orange breast. Perches.
Identification
Black head. Orange breast. White collar. Tick call. Perches. Flicks wings.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Heath. Gorse. Foulshaw Moss. That tick. Perches. Common.
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 Lake District biodiversity.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.