The Whinchat is sometimes mistaken for the much more common Stonechat. You are quite likely to see a resident stonechat at Croome, but the Whinchat is a scarce summer visitor. The main difference between the two chats is the Whinchat's distinctive pale stripe over the eye. This one is a 1st winter juvenile, and was no doubt 'just passing through'. It was on a fencepost, partway along the path between the house and the lake.

Update - it was still there, in the same place, 4 days later, and again 6 days later - so not just passing through!

This little fellow was at Croome almost exactly a year later (two days difference). A similar age to one the previous year, or possibly younger. I found him on a fencepost at the far side of the lawn, outside the Main House.