Oakley Airfield - 'Greenland Wheatear'

Another interesting morning up on the airfield (which is walking distance from home). A superb suite of 'farmland birds' including Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Yellow Wagtails, Skylarks, Cuckoo and Grey Partridge. EBird list HERE. Highlight was another pulse of Wheatears, at least eleven birds and at least one of them showing features of 'Greenland Wheatear' O o leucorhoa. 

 Male Wheatear showing features of 'Greenland Wheatear'. The deep rusty buff on the underparts is different to the creamy buff of the nominate race (with richer tones confined more to the throat/upperbreast on nominate) and this feature is shown on this bird. The bird also appeared stocky and long-winged (especially in flight) 

 A pretty stunning looking bird 

The rich rusty buff underparts stood out even more prominently at distance

Another reputed feature of Greenland Wheatear is the wider tail band. As far as I understand the only way to completely nail a Greenland Wheatear is to measure it- longer winged than nominate but this seems like a pretty good field candidate.  

 A less striking 'pair' of Northern Wheatears nearby. The male on the left is more typical looking of the nominate form. 

 Female Northern Wheatears (above and below). The bird above was in area where I have seen Wheatears for the last three weeks (maybe even territorial). The female below was loosely associating with the 'Greenland-type' and does appear a bit more stocky but who knows? Most of the Wheatears migrating through this time of year are presumably heading further north than the early spring birds so a late spring pulse of Wheatears, like the one today, are more likely to be northern population birds including Greenland/Iceland birds.