I arrived at Swanpool at c. 12.15 today (Tue). It was unexpected how well sheltered the Copse access path is in parts, away from the strong wind; and the nearby sheltered N area among the Hawthorns certainly appealed to the Spotted Flycatcher........which is what I had come to check on after Andy's post yesterday.
One was perched there out of the wind and within 15 minutes or so it was joined by a second bird, perching nearby. It is surprising how tolerant Spot Flys can be, for a woman walked past on the path with her large black Labrador no more than 10/15 yards away but the Spot Flys didn't move, although the second bird did 'disappear' soon afterwards.
I also checked out the cow hedge near the Catchwater Drain bridge - it held about 25/30 birds :
Goldfinch Greenfinch Chaffinch Yellowhammer Great Tit Robin and c. one dozen Swallows perched on a dead Elder
but no migrants (other than the Swallows) that I could see.
On my way back to the Copse at c. 1.15, one Spot Fly was still perched in the Hawthorns and the second bird flew over my head and perched in a half-dead Horse Chestnut Tree behind me.
Freddy
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