Stonechats don’t breed anywhere near the beach, but are sometimes seen during the autumn and winter months when they stray away from their breeding territories. It’s possible that some birds also arrive from the continent, in search of a relatively milder winter. 

Stonechats have a habit of perching up conspicuously on vegetation , and then launching themselves at an insect or some other tasty morsel. Occasionally family groups are seen on the beach, but a pair is more typical.