This is the third year in a row that I have found and had great views of Whinchat on Dartmoor. They are a summer breeding visitor from central and southern Africa, not particularly common but not rare either but a good spot and I am always excited when I see them. They nest on moorlands in low vegetation This year, up to now, I had hardly seen any but today they were really showing well and I discovered at least 4 breeding pairs.  They always act in the same manner. As soon as you enter their territory, the female emerges from her well hidden nest and both male and female call from various conspicuous perches surrounding their "patch". They are however, frustratingly hard to get really close to but now and then they will allow you  within 25 feet or so. Males (above) are more brightly marked, with females a more sombre bird (below), both have a prominent eye stripe. I find their calls can be difficult to locate, you can hear them close by but it's not always easy to guess which direction it is coming from.

I almost got a really good flight shot, my superior lens arrives back from repair tomorrow and I hope to get some good shots with it.