Northern Wheatear: Nest & eggs

The Northern Wheatear builds its nest concealed down in a cavity on open, stony ground, where it lies well protected.

• Nest site: in a stone wall, under a rock, in a cairn, in a brush pile, in rotten logs or in old rodent holes.
• Nest: the female builds a cup-shaped nest of grass and rootlets inside the cavity and normally lays 5–6 eggs.
• Protection: the concealed nest site provides good protection from both predators and weather on the otherwise open stony ground.

The availability of suitable cavities in stone and ground determines where the species can settle on mountain heaths, clear-cuts and pastures.

More about the Northern Wheatear

• Song & calls
• Breeding
• Diet
• In winter