The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Spotted Flycatchers at Blackmoor Farm and Hill Holt.
I had 2 sightings of SpotFlys this afternoon (Sat).

Thanks for the info re Blackmoor Farm PYO, Rick. I was there from 2-3pm combining strawberries with birding. I tracked the SpotFly down to an area near the farm buildings opposite the pond. The bird was flycatching from a Silver Birch and nearby wires by an open-fronted farm outbuilding, where I suspect it is nesting. (Strawberry Fields SpotFlys Forever!)

I returned to BBH via Hill Holt. After a hour's searching around the area of the Car Park and the Organic Garden, I eventually came across a SpotFly feeding from the lower branches of a large Oak Tree by a wooden building of the HQ Complex. I drew one of the Reserve staff's attention to the sighting area.

Freddy

Greg Roberts reported a spotfly to me this morning on the fence line on the boundary of his property and St. Swithins churchyard, Baumber. This is the first sighting this season at this site as far as I am aware.

Pair of Spotted Flycatchers feeding young in nest just west of Aubourn churchyard this afternoon.

_________________
Regards,

Andy.

Pair of Spotted Flycatchers in Horncastle

Following a 'nil return' at Baumber, Edlington and Fulletby this morning (Tue), I drove on to Horncastle. A pair of SpotFlys were flycatching in a large lawned area and feeding at least 3 fledged young in a nearby (creepered) Pine Tree alongside the former Trinity Church (now Trinity Centre).

It was the very same tree where a pair of SpotFlys nested in 2012 and successfully brought off a brood of young in late June. Fortunately, SpotFly history can repeat itself.

Freddy

Delighted to know that you are continuing your flycatcher crusade Freddy.
One flycatcher again between the pond and the buildings yesterday morning at Blackmoor farm.
We seem to be getting through a lot of strawberries this year.
Cheers. Rick

Thanks for your kind comment, Rick and for further news of the Strawberry Fields SpotFly. Having a fixed birding project or crusade does help to keep me active and focussed. Some might consider it OTT but in one's ninth decade you need something to get you off that sofa and travelling around the county.

Freddy
PS. My wife, Inga, will be joining me in the next Blackmoor Farm PYO outing. Still being in her 60s, she can reach the strawberries and fill a punnet a lot quicker than I can.

Spotted fly in Willingham Woods this am. Bird between bridge and main road just by the picnic area.
It was seen in the same area on Tuesday morning.

Also two blackcaps with young.

Dave

I visited Dunsby (near Bourne) this afternoon (Wed) further to an invitation from Hugh Dorrington to see some of the local birdlife.

Despite the strong wind, our highlights included excellent views of a Spotted Flycatcher feeding from a garden Cherry Tree, Little Owl perched and Green Woodpecker.
Plus incl.
Lesser Whitethroat
Blackcap, female
nesting House Martins.

Freddy

11 July, 2 spotted flycatchers (pair?) at Woodhall Country Park - previously reported by Robert Carr on 28 June.
I am told that the Victoria Avenue site in Woodhall used for the past two years is unoccupied this year.

John

S Lincs Spotted Flycatcher round trip with 5 sightings - Mon 14 July

Given the fine weather this morning, I thought I would do a repeat of the 90+ mile successful (6 sightings) round S Lincs SpotFly trip of July 2012. I was again successful registering 5 sightings :

Grimsthorpe Castle
A very active pair were flycatching from railings between the Maintenance Area buildings and the Castle. I believe they were feeding fledged young in nearby trees.

One singleton was flycatching from the branches of a mature Oak in the Castle Park.

Edenham (see also Russell Hayes' report of 12 June)
Nothing to report (NTR) in the Churchyard itself but one SpotFly was feeding in the Vicarage garden from the low branches of a Fir Tree in an overgrown area.

Rippingale - NTR re Spotted Flycatchers but 'The Bull' provided a welcome watering hole.

Kirkby Underwood
One SpotFly was coming down to feed over the wide lawn of The Old Vicarage.

Dunsby
A revisit after 9 July. Another Spotfly was located flycatching from an Apple Tree along Dunsby Fen Lane.

Billingborough Churchyard
Good for butterflies but NTR re Spotted Flycatchers.

Freddy

Had a single Spotted Flycatcher to the left and half way down the main ride at Southrey Wood on Saturday.

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http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

More Woodhall flycatchers: A pair fledged four young last week from a nest in an old wheel centre used as a hose reel at the greenkeepers shed on the golf course. I have seen the nest and a photo of the young in it, taken by the course manager.

John

Baumber churchyard

Greg Roberts reports pair feeding 2 fledglings this afternoon.

Photographic evidence has been obtained!

I noted a couple of juveniles today at Southery

Having some known new Spotted Flycatcher sites in mind, I drove on a relatively short mid-Lincs tour in the fine sunny weather today (Thu). I had 3 successful sightings :

a. Potterhanworth - a nest site in 2012 but NTR (nothing to report) today.

b. Southrey Wood (Main Ride) - an interesting hour spent there. I was pleased to locate a family group of 3 (possibly 4) - lots of squinting into the sun - in the first glade on the left from the carparking area (c. 300 yds down). They were feeding and interacting in the upper branches of tall stands of Pine, Ash and Oak, including the 'rapid twisting flight-chasing'. Thanks to Russell and Chris for the lead. Also good numbers of butterflies around including recently emerged Peacocks.

c. Stixwould - NTR from a very promising site in the village which I've checked before.

d. Woodhall Spa (always a happy hunting-ground)
(i) A pair of Spotflys were flycatching from wires close to the Coronation Road/Manor Road junction - performing in the first garden towards the 'Dower House Hotel' (as per 2012).

(ii) Iddlesleigh Road nest site of 12 June 14. NTR - presumably, the young will have fledged by now and flown........and no second brood there.

(iii) Woodhall Spa Country Park (my first visit) (Further to posts from Robert Carr and John Watt).
I casually asked at Reception about Spotted Flycatchers. The helpful Receptionist led me outside and pointed out an area about 300-400yds away where SpotFlys had been reported recently. I was in luck. Within 10 minutes I was watching a family group of at least 4 with streaked adults feeding spotted fledged young - in trees by the edge of the sheep field, near a wooden bridge by the Lake. The busy parents were in continual action with the young birds also moving about constantly.

Freddy