The Lincolnshire Bird Club

This afternoon ('2.30pm'), Stuart Britton put some information on my "Swanpool - 30 August post" (as updated 31 August) :

" Freddy - 3 Spotted Flycatchers by the Memorial at Linwood Warren this morning ".

I am SO pleased that I took time out from my hectic schedule as a Saga Pensioner to follow up Stuart's gen.

I arrived at Linwood Warren at c.4.45pm and took up a position on a grassy knoll by some Heather clumps to scan the Pine Trees by the Memorial. Almost immediately, I could see that no fewer than 4 Spotted Flycatchers were in the Pines, occasionally feeding, occasionally 'playing tag' as per the birds Robert Carr and I saw in Woodhall Spa on 9th August, dashing around amongst the branches. As I was watching them in front of me, movements caught my eye in the Birches well to my right - another 4 Spot Flys (possibly 5) were performing there too, and no birds had crossed the gap between the Pines and the Birches (or vice-versa). To compound my amazement, 2 further birds were then noticed in the Pines well to my left BUT it is possible (though unlikely) they were from the original Pine Trees 4 in front of me.

So that made 8 Spot Flys, probably 10 and even possibly 11. I had double-checked each movement in the branches to make sure I was looking at Spot Flys (although most of them were flycatching anyway on/off) as there were also some Goldfinches,spp Tits and a Treecreeper around, so I am absolutely certain of the figure 8 and veer happily to a higher number. So clearly, a number of Spot Flys had flown in since this morning's report of 3. At one stage all the Spot Flys seemed to be in the Pines, and at another all seemed to congregate in the Birches.

I was very pleased with my 1 Spot Fly at Swanpool earlier this morning but you can imagine how I felt with 8, probably 10, possibly 11........ I do recall reading of previous autumn concentrations of Spot Flys at Linwood Warren. I am SO pleased I followed up Stuart's report........ Thank you, Stuart...

Freddy

Pleased to have been of assistance, Freddy.

I was at Linwood warren yesterday afternoon and saw at least six spotted flycatchers and an added bonus of a female pied flycatcher.

Colin.

Freddy,

There were at least 2 Spot Flys this morning (07h) again in Woodhall, in oaks by the junction of Stixwould Road and Green Lane - where you dipped previously I think. Also Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat around the Triangle - but no Redstarts, Whinchats or Wheatears. There were at least 12 Mistle Thrushes in the stubble field opposite - my first for some time.

Robert

I thought I'd check out whether any Spot Flys were still around at Linwood Warren this morning (Sat). I arrived there at c.11.45 and soon met up with Phil Harland, a (non-LBC) Lincs birder/photographer.

We loitered around the Memorial Pines for 10-15 minutes but having no joy there, we decided to make for the Pond area. In the field near the Pond, we came across 1 Spotted Flycatcher preening in a well-laden Hawthorn, sharing it with a Willowchiff.

The Pond area and Wood were very quiet but returning towards the Memorial Pines we saw a Spotted Flycatcher low down in a Birch Tree, which then produced another 2 Spot Flys, probably 3. Another Birch nearby also held 2, making our morning's total 6 definite and probably 7. It is impossible to say, of course, whether these were all/in part new or the same birds since the Spot Fly bonanza of Wed 31 Aug.

I finally left at c.2.00pm after a most enjoyable visit and I know that Phil was very pleased with his photos.

Freddy