The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Freddy,

Thanks for your reply and comments. By concentrating on the Donna Nook records during the ‘good’ years of the sixties to the eighties, I overlooked the large arrivals of Spotted Flycatchers in 2009 and 2010 which you have highlighted. It is strange how in later years, many of one’s earliest recollections become the clearest.

Just a few further thoughts on the east coast trends which have become apparent over the years. Migration patterns are truly intriguing and it is remarkable how strategies can vary considerably even within a single species. One can only generalize on some of these movements, as there will always be exceptions to the main trends, and as one infers one point, different factors may suddenly change certain previous considerations.

Ringing recoveries have shown that at least some autumn Spotted Flycatchers normally migrate SE from Scandinavia. German birds, however, show tendencies to leave to the SW, so under normal circumstances, one would expect migrants appearing on the east coast of England in drift conditions to involve a good proportion of birds from central Europe and the Low Countries. When an anticyclone formed over Scandinavia associated with east or SE winds over the southern North Sea, then Pied Flycatchers were typically common and among the forerunners of immigrants from the Continent, whereas Spotted Flycatchers were usually, but not always, much less in evidence. In contrast, when movements of typical British summer visitors such as Whitethroats and Willow Warblers occurred in cyclonic westerly weather, then Spotted Flycatchers were often more apparent, while Pied Flycatchers were absent. These latter movements presumably originated in northern England and/or Scotland.

As you point out, many British birds of both species use the western migration routes through England and Wales. I would assume that many of these birds, as night migrants, and under favourable weather conditions would merely depart unseen from their locations and head directly to western France or the Iberian peninsula. Others may be forced by inclement weather to stop off on the south or west coasts with migrants of other species before attempting the sea crossing. Some of this passage, as seen by the southern and western observatories can be on a huge scale. I have seen and heard some of these exceptional night movements at Tory Island lighthouse under foggy conditions. The experience is truly unforgettable.

When you suggest that ‘British’ Pied Flycatchers may regularly move through Lincs. coastal sites, I would be surprised if this was so. A handful may well occur, but the correlation between drift arrivals and the weather conditions mentioned above is quite strong. Also in view of the distinctly western breeding distribution of the Pied Flycatcher and the fact that good numbers of pulli in nest-boxes are ringed, but do not provide any significant recovery data on the east coast would suggest that British birds demonstrate a very strong western fidelity.

Steve.

Steve,

Many thanks for your interesting and authoritative post on Flycatcher migration.

One point on which I would very much appreciate your comments are re the known inland 'traditional' Lincolnshire sites for autumn post-breeding groups/pre-migration stopovers. Andy Sims has had many years' experience of recording autumn Spotted Flycatchers at the Swanpool Cowfields...with a maximum this autumn of 5 or 6 (24th-26th August). Dean Nicholson has been visiting the Fillingham Cowfields for some years, with this autumn's records being exceptional :

24 Aug - 7+ (Dean Nicholson)
28 Aug - 10+ incl. at least 4 juveniles (DN) (they departed overnight 28/29 Aug)
31 Aug - 6 adults, 1 juvenile (Freddy Johnson)
02 Sep - 3 ads, 1 juv (FJ and DN)
05 Sep - 4ads, 3 juvs (FJ)
07 Sep - 7 ads (FJ).

In addition (showing maxima) : Linwood Warren, where Stuart Britton has been recording autumn groups for a number of years....with 10+ on 8 Sep; Woodhall Spa (Robert Carr), with 8+ recorded on 19 Aug; Baumber (Mike Harrison, Greg Roberts and Russ Telfer), with 8+ recorded on 14 Aug; and Hubbard's Hills, Louth (Geoff Williams) with 16+ recorded on 23 Aug. Are there perhaps other 'traditional' inland sites that you recall?

The whole question of these inland post breeding/pre-migration stopovers seems to have little if any coverage on the web and, of course, there is no authoritative monograph on Muscicapa striata which one could consult in addition to the BWP entry.....an amazing omission when one considers so many species do have dedicated monographs. The only published book on the Spotted Flycatcher, and of which I have a copy, appears to be the slim post-project volume, "The Spotted What!?" by John Clarke (2005), who masterminded the Worcestershire Spotted Flycatcher Project (essentially 2001-2004). I've been in touch with John over the summer re SpotFly chat and he also forwarded me some BTO, etc., material which originated from his project. Similarly, Steve Piotrowski (Chairman of the Suffolk Waveney Bird Club which initiated a Spotted Flycatcher Project in 2011 in partnership with the local ecclesiastical authorities re nestboxes in churchyards) has also forwarded me some interesting project material together with results of the Suffolk Spotted Flycatcher Survey 2007.

Freddy
PS. Thanks for showing some interest in my amateurish jottings and assumptions.....much appreciated.

It is quite surprising that there is no Spotted Flycatcher monograph, especially as it is such an interesting and charismatic species which shows quite a reasonable tolerance of man. I, too, am not aware of anything more than a passing mention of post-breeding assemblages in any of the literature. My own inland experiences are rather limited, but I have seen evidence of these gatherings at several sites in the past. I don’t know how traditional these locations are, and as some of my observations are becoming dated, it would be interesting to check them out and see if any birds are still utilizing them next year.

The following sightings are all first hand. Unfortunately, all records are of overall counts, with no reference to adult and juvenile ratios.

Snipe Dales.

In 1985, one pair bred in the nature reserve and one pair bred in the forestry section. Up to 5 were seen in late August to 31st, then 1-3 were regularly present until 19th September. I cannot recall to which sections these records refer.

In 1986, one pair bred in the nature reserve and two pairs in the forestry section. The first fledged young were seen on 23rd July. 4-11 birds were noted in loose parties regularly to 16th August, followed by up to 5 to 10th September and then 1-3 until 23rd September.



Welton le Wold

In 2000, I was shown a nest in a barn wall where a brick was missing and told that the flycatchers had nested there for many years. I do not know the outcome of this nest, but in closeby woods at TF285875, I did observe 4 birds in late August. These may have been birds from the same nest. The nest site was used again in 2001, but once more, I am unaware of the outcome.



Humberston

In 1998, a pair bred at TA309046 in an open-fronted nest-box on the outside of a barn. They raised 5 young. There were several surrounding gardens which offered suitable habitat and I did not see these birds subsequently. The nest site has not been used since.



Manby Churchyard.

One pair bred regularly between 1993 and 2003, and probably in earlier years. Up to 7 were noted in August and early September in several years. An additional pair also nested in a nearby private garden in Church Lane in 1995 and 1996. I was told by the resident that the species had bred in his garden in previous years.



Grimoldby Churchyard

A pair bred in 2005. 5 were briefly present in the churchyard in late August and probably dispersed into nearby gardens.



Next year, I will revisit all of these sites and check for any flycatcher activity.

Steve,

Many thanks for your reply. It could well be that this very month some author is putting the finishing touches to a Spotted Flycatcher monograph, but if in fact it is still being totally ignored as a publishing enterprise, I consider it a travesty, especially as so many Natural History books are still appearing (despite the recession) on obscure and recondite subject material.

Snipe Dales is still flourishing as an ongoing nesting location for Spotted Flycatchers. I had a sighting there last summer and 2 pairs bred this year. Your other locations were not mentioned by visiting birders on the web in connection with Spotted Flycatchers last year.....or this year.....but they may have missed out by not visiting them......although earlier this year, Phil Espin did report a Spotted Flycatcher in a garden in Manby on the early date of 11th May....at the end of the lane (Church Lane?) leading to The Flashes.

I might by chance meet up with you next year at one or the other of those locations you mentioned.

Freddy

I believe John Clarkson produced a book on the birds of Louth, but I haven't seen it. Does anyone know if there is any mention of Spot Flys breeding or migrating through the Hubbard's Hills in it?
Geoff

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.

Geoff,

I think it can be difficult (if not impossible) to segregate all this summer's 6 reported Spotted Flycatcher local post-breeding//migration stopover sites into one or other category. What we can be certain of is that all local post-breeding groups are, or become, pre-migration groups.....and I reckon the Baumber and the Woodhall Spa sites reflect that local post-breeding grouping. However, I'm inclined to think that the Swanpool Cowfields and the Fillingham Cowfields are migration stopover sites, with the Spotted Flycatchers perhaps arriving from further north. I'd hesitate to place the Linwood Warren and the Hubbard's Hills sites firmly in one or other category.....perhaps there could even be a mingling of categories sometimes, although, if I had to choose, I would place the Hubbard's Hills groups in the post-breeding category in view of its record as a breeding site.

What really intrigues me is the trigger that sets in motion the coming together of previously separate family groups and their joining up in 'traditional' meeting up sites....such as, presumably, Hubbard's Hills.......where you reported 16+ Spotted Flycatchers on 23rd August. The timing can be quite precise.....one day " No Spotted Flycatchers to report"; the next day ....a double figure report...and, of course, after its arrival in spring and throughout the summer, the Spotted Flycatcher is a solitary bird (apart from its mate). These are just disjointed ramblings of an interested birder : perhaps other members have coherent comments to add......

Freddy
PS From my reading of John's "Birds of Louth"..... :

John and his brother, Barry, saw a Black-bellied Dipper along the River Lud at Hubbard's Hills on 8th Dec 1980 and another was well watched there in Jan 2002.