GO WILD WITH ERIC PAYLOR

YOU may well spot one of our special summer visitors, before it makes the long journey back to Africa, if you go for a coastal stroll at the moment.

- 

It's the whinchat, similar in size to a robin but less robust, which breeds on our moorland edges and forestry plantations where there are areas of grass.

With breeding completed, the whinchats are turning up occasionally on coastal fenceposts and the top of tall plants as they try to fatten up on insects and seeds ready for the long journey.

Up to three whinchats were spotted near North Gare last week and attracted birdwatchers from throughout our region. One easy identification mark is the prominent white stripe above its eyes.

This cracking picture of one of our whinchats was taken by Paul Welsh.