Freddy Johnson wrote:
I have a signed copy with dedication (no less) of John's charming slim volume on the "Birds of Louth" (2007).
On page 55 under 'Flycatchers' :
"Spotted Flycatcher.....Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant,which has declined significantly in recent years. Extreme dates 26th Apr - 5th Dec." (This tranche of general Lincolnshire information comes from Atkin and Lorand (1989) and Atkin and Goodall (2000).)
Further, re the status of the species within the Louth area, John writes :
"Formerly a widespread breeding species around Louth but now often difficult to find but small numbers still breed in Westgate Fields and Hubbard's Hills".
Freddy
PS. That 5th Dec date as an extreme date is absolutely AMAZING! I see from the 1989 referenced book, that it refers to a Spotted Flycatcher at Gibraltar Point from 8th November - 5th December 1981.
Thanks Freddy, so most of the recent records could just be local breeders rather than migrants. However I do feel that the area could attract a Humes Yellow browed Warbler to winter, I believe it's had Black bellied Dipper. I would spend more time here but for many more good places around Saltfleet.