Thanks for the photo's Judith (which unfortunately I can't put on the galleries yet due to my computer problems) but I think this bird is well within the range for our race of Stonechat. The rump patch is very narrow (maura would be very large and much larger than this) and as you noticed for yourself there does seem to be atleast one ot two streaks on a part of the rump. the rump is undeniably pure white though, although it is not uncommon for our race to display this, especially when in worn plumage(the bird near Brushes last year for example) and this recent Bolton bird has the 'normally' coloured and patterned upper-tail coverts. The white patches on the upperparts do look surprisingly large but the orangey (wash) on the underparts looks typically extensive for our usual race, maura would be much more restricted to the upper breast and more concentrated in colouration.
I'll get the photos on the galleries for all to see as soon as I'm up and running again (and if you don't know what I'm on about read the new sticky post at the top of the sightings page )
Ken Haydock and Jill Mills had a very interesting Stonechat at Burnt Edge, Horwich on Sunday. They've sent a couple of photos which can't be uploaded just at present as Ian's computer is down. Essentially the bird (male) shows very large white wing patches and what appears to be a pure white rump - though this is partially obscured by the folded wings. Worth a look if anyoneis up there.
No sign this afternoon though (27th March) - Jill and I had a thorough look. Very quiet indeed - no Wheatears, Ouzels or anything other than a pair of ordinary Stonechats and plenty of displaying Mipits.
-- Edited by Judith Smith at 20:36, 2007-03-27
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
