Further to Hugh's post and to the receipt of the Spotted Flycatchers' general location from him, I arrived at Whisby NR this afternoon (Fri) at 2.00pm and stayed until c. 3.30. It was necessary to follow the Pike Drain/Dyke path , on the Coot Lake side, to the far end of the Reserve to nearly where the horse paddocks/field begin on the left.
Approximately in this location area tip-off, I came across an adult Spot Fly, having seen ahead of me the classic signature movement as it flew from a bush across the Dyke and back again. A juvenile Spot Fly perched near the adult but soon retreated back into the Elders/Hawthorns. Another adult appeared further along but in the next half-hour or so I failed to find the 4th bird Hugh had seen. Although adult Spot Flys take up prominent positions on the outside of a bush/tree, the juveniles so often tend to perch on the inner branches and occasionally even retreat into the centre. Perhaps Hugh's 4th bird was indeed a juvenile hidden there, making up a family group of 4.
Also around the Spot Fly site (incl.) :
Charm of 15 - 20 Goldfinches
Bullfinch (female)
Chaffinch
Long-tailed Tits c. 12
Thanks to Hugh for the location gen. Grahame H. can now relax, as I think these birds were Whisby's first Spot Flys of the year. Welcome news, Grahame.
Freddy
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