Where you find gorse in Dorset you will surely find stonechat! They can often be seen perched on the highest-most branch of a gorse bush surveying the scene and deciding on their next move; they are active little birds frequently on the move.
In Dorset you can see stonechat all year round but there is undoubtedly an increase in numbers during the winter months with the resident birds being joined by an influx from colder northern European areas. During winter they are not only more numerous but they are also more widespread. The weekly reports chart is not a good indicator for this species other than to show how frequently they are seen and to confirm that they can be seen all year. The chart really just reflects which observers have been visiting which sites and what species they choose to report and the stonechat may often be omitted in favour of more 'interesting' species.
The distribution map seems to show quite clearly this association with gorse with stonechat being reported from virtually all of the lowland heathland sites in the Poole basin and in the eastern part of the county as well as along the scrubby areas of the Purbeck and south Dorset coast. It is seemingly missing from the inland agricultural areas although this may possibly be down to under recording rather than lack of birds but there is no doubt that the heath and coastal downs are their strongholds.
If you are looking for stonechat walk on any Dorset heath and watch the tops of the gorse bushes; I am sure it will not be long before you see one. Listen also for their call which is like two stones being knocked together and this is, of course, how they get their name.
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