Was wandering about our damson orchard, adjacent to Campfield Marsh Reserve, this evening - trying to track down the source of a squeaky, scratchy call with intermittent clicking notes. As young birds are now fledging had thought that perhaps it was one calling for food.
However, eventually the call was pinpointed to a small bird sitting high up on a branch, but being backlit, due to the low evening sun, its features were difficult to discern. Only on downloading the photos taken, to the computer, could it be identified as a Spotted Flycatcher.
It is good to see them coming so far north and west again. It must be 25 years ago when we last saw one here. A pair had tried unsuccessfully to nest in the rainwater downpipe to one of the garden sheds. They could be seen quickly flying down after insects from the large trees surrounding the garden. They also had a favourite old damson tree in the orchard too, from which their aerial displays could be observed - but never came back after it blew down in a gale one night. In recent years we have renovated the orchard taking out the undergrowth and keeping the grass roughly cut to form rides. This has encouraged a whole range of wildlife to use it.
Dave Blackledge, Campfield Marsh Reserve Warden, had also recorded about a fortnight ago, a Spotted Flycatcher flying in a wood on the Reserve (only the second record for the Reserve) - so it could be that all the wetland management that has taken place in recent years, which in its turn encourages more insects, is having this result - one would like to think so! Whatever, it is great to see this attractive bird back in the area.
Spotted Flycatcher.