Shooting advice
Approach
Stonechats can vary significantly in their tolerance to people. Some remain unconcerned, while others can make life more difficult. They often use the same perches, so if you encounter one that is skittish, watch where they like to perch, then try sitting quietly and waiting nearby. Once you are within photographic range, try to shoot from the same level as the bird, for more intimate images.
Settings
I always use continuous AF, and single-spot AF to keep focus on the bird’s face. My camera is always set to the fastest frame rate, to increase my chances of capturing the birds when they flick their tail up and down, and flash their wings open. They also regularly leave their perches for a few seconds to catch insects, so there are opportunities for takeoff and landing pictures, although they require very quick reactions.
Lighting
When the sun is behind you, particularly early or late in the day, the warm colours of their breast and back can really pop, and it can also give a catchlight in the eye. However, shooting into the sun can give striking images, such as silhouettes against orange/yellow skies, and stunning rim-lighting around the edge of the bird. If you have the chance, experiment with different light angles and backgrounds to get different effects. As well as different lighting, you can experiment with the size of the bird in the frame, from frame-fillers to including more of the environment. The latter is a good option, for example, in frost or snow.