The Temperature's Rising

It was a very hot day, so I took myself to the Goyt Valley, where I was hoping that the tree cover and elevation may give me some respite. It did to a degree, but it was still a scorcher. Thankfully the birds were very active, as they have to feed their young no matter what the weather is doing. It was a very fruitful visit, with lots of new in Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatchers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Redstarts, Tawny Owls and so much more. Everywhere had something to look at and watch. Even a little Goldcrest came nice and close for me, and these are not that easy to pin down.

You can see a more detailed version of my trip here:

Goldcrest

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Flycatcher

Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Swallow

 

Spotted Flycatchers are back!

I'd started my search for Spotted Flycatchers a few weeks ago. I knew that I was a bit early, but a bit like Christmas, I get very excited by these birds and the apprehension and build up to them arriving has me looking earlier each year. I am usually then disappointed, but I know that it's just a matter of time. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of other birds around to keep my spirits up. Birds like the Redstart, and on this occasion some Tawny Owls. Anyway, I did eventually find my Spotted Flycatchers, and I'll be making regular visits to see how they're getting on over the next few months.

You can see my latest adventures here:

Spotted Flycatcher

Tawny Owlet

Common Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

A couple of months ago at the end of May, my annual wait for the return of Spotted Flycatchers was over. Just two weeks before on a visit to my usual sites, there were none to be seen, but on this occasion I found 3 pairs and they weren't hanging around. All were busy nest building in various tree cavities and outbuildings. A great sign that these may have some young to feed this year. Unfortunately, when I returned a few weeks later only one site was still active, with both birds busy feeding. There was no sign of the pair that had been building a nest in an open tree cavity. There was not even any moss, so it's quite possible this was predated. Fingers crossed for the one nest that was still going strong, and hopefully some young fletched successfully.

Spotted Flycatcher

It's one of the last migrants to arrive to these shores, and maybe that adds a little something to it for me, as I cannot settle until I've tracked down a Spotted Flycatcher. They arrived towards the end of May and once again, I'm so lucky to know of several places that they return to each year. Just half an hour from home, and I'm able to spend a good amount of time viewing them. I love watching their flycatching escapades as they leap, catch, and return to the branch from which they took off from. Such agile birds, but very quiet. Very little song or calls, so you really are relying on your eyesight and peripheral vision to spot them. Cracking little birds.

Feeding Time

We've had some lovely weather recently. (I do appreciate that here in the North West of England that  only needs to constitute 'not raining') Thankfully for our feathered friends it has been quite warm and dry, meaning that there have been plenty of insects and caterpillars for the adults to take to their nests.

I spent a nice couple of hours in the hills after work and it was fascinating to watch the Grey Wagtails at work, catching all sorts of insects. This one has a beak crammed full of protein rich goodies.

One of the juvenile Grey Wagtails, waiting patiently for some snacks.

This male Common Redstart was very actively dropping down to pick up spiders and other insects.

The Spotted Flycatchers are masters at the art of catching small flying insects, but in between they will sit patiently, almost posing on a nice branch.

Flycatchers Are Back!!

I've been fortunate in recent weeks to be able to wait for and then watch the arrival of our Summer Flycatchers. The Pied is always the first to arrive. Not a particularly big bird, it is easy to overlook it as it flashes up to the canopy of the tree. The call is the main give away, if you're lucky to hear it. It's not very loud, or as loud as I'd like it. 

So a small black and white bird in woodland that is difficult to hear. It's always a challenge, but one which I relish each year. It's a great moment when you hear your first, and even better when you catch a glimpse. This is usually followed by very long stints of standing and waiting for it to come closer, or close enough to get some pictures of. These images are the best I could get over numerous visits, and I don't know how many hours. I think they were worth it though.

Male Pied Flycatcher

The wait for arrival into the country is even longer for the Spotted Flycatcher. I don't know if it's because of the extra wait, but this is the one I'm always desperate to set on eyes on. Each year they seem to arrive later and later, but then I check my records and it's exactly the same time as the years before, within just a day or two. For some reason I always look for them a week or two early, in hope more than anticipation. This just means I head home disappointed each time, having not found one 😩.

The build up increases the excitement though, and then you one day there they are. The satisfaction is immense. 

Spotted Flycatcher

This is why I love Birdwatching.

I had a superb few hours out last weekend. Up with the Larks, as the saying goes, and out to my favourite Spring/Summer location in the fine Cheshire countryside, which covered ancient woodlands, rivers, reservoirs, moorland and quarries. 

I'd found a pair of Pied Flycatchers a few weeks ago. On my return visit I located them again. This time they were busy taking food to a nest site. I suspected they were close to a nest site so was pleased to see that they were successfully feeding young.

Not far away was a male Redstart, singing as they do right at the top of a nearby tree. They never make it easy to see them.

A very good looking male Pied Flycatcher with a small caterpillar for his young ones.

Male Common Redstart.

I'm very lucky to be able to see Ring Ouzels each year. These upland birds like rocky slopes for their nesting habitat and arrive in April time. Once again there is at least one pair that are feeding young, and the male put on a nice show in between his food collections. The sun was shining and he looked in very good shape.

I look forward to days like these all year. April and May are my favourite birding months. When the countryside is alive with our migrant birds and the sun is shining and I just happen to be in my favourite peaceful place. It's what I long for, and when I get days like this I just feel so content.

The Spotted Flycatchers were also still around, and I hope to catch up with their young in future weeks.