Best time to see: mid Apr to late Sep

Key facts

Attractive summer visitor of open country

Habitat: coastal grazing marshes and old gravel workings, occasionally inland also

Uncommon summer visitor, wintering in cemtral and southern Africa

Recognition

Bold white eyebrow; white wing and tail patches in flight; 12–13 cm

Perches on small bushes, flying down to pounce on insect food before returning

Lifecycle

Nest is a cup on the ground at the base of a bush

1 or 2 broods May to June

5–7 pale blue eggs, speckled brown