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.

Reasons to be Outside

Early Summer was great for welcoming back our migrant birds. Areas of the Peak District in particular for me are a great place to go and find them. On a warm June morning you should be able to pick out the calls of Common Redstart, Tree Pipit, Common Sandpiper and Pied Flycatcher. Of course, that does require you to be in the right area, and it's not always guaranteed. They can be there, and just not singing or calling. Or more commonly they're spending their time at the top of the canopy looking for insects. Add in the fact that the leaves are now out to make it even more difficult to spot. It does mean that I spend more time out looking than I would normally, especially if I've not been successful. Not that I'm complaining. Outdoors is when I like to be most.

Male Common Redstart

Tree Pipit

Willow Warbler with food for the young

A Tern for the Better

I take a trip out to Anglesey and North Wales at least twice a year if I can. At this time of year it is for the sea birds and the Terns in particular. The coast boasts some very good areas for these nesting birds.

The Little Terns are protected 24 hours a day by wardens. They are are there to deter predators such as foxes, Peregrines and Kestrels, and sadly from human intervention, either from egg collectors, or marauding dogs allowed to run free despite the signs asking them to be on a lead.

Each year this species is increasing in numbers at the site, and it is the largest breeding site in the UK for this bird. That said, numbers are still extremely low, and for that reason the wardens are very important and do a fantastic job. 

Little Tern

Sandwich Terns are in abundance at Cemlyn Bay and are the largest of our Terns. I'm always greeted with their screeches as they fly overhead on their way out to look for sand eels. I use it as an opportunity to practise my flight shots. If I miss one then I know another will be along in just a few seconds. Here are some of my better efforts. As you can see, they fly very close as they go about their business.

Sandwich Terns

Yellow Wagtail

Seeing or finding a Yellow Wagtail each year is by no means a given. I don't often visit their habitat at the right time of year, which in hindsight I really should do. A friend of mine kindly let me know of a field where he'd seen up to seven birds. It was too good an opportunity to turn down, so off I popped to try and locate them. It wasn't long before I heard and then saw a couple land on a muck pile. There were plenty of insects to keep them occupied and feeding. I sat and watched for a good hour, which gave me a good opportunity to take some decent pictures.

 

I just love this vibrant lemon yellow colour.

Red Kite - Cheshire

In recent weeks there have been numerous sightings and reports of Red Kites in my area, which is not entirely unusual at this time of year. But the reports usually dry up as the birds move through. This year there seem to be quite a few reports still which I'm hoping means that some may have set up home in the area. Fingers crossed if that is the case.

I wasn't actually out looking for them on this occasion, and I had packed the camera and binoculars into the car, when I could see this particularly large raptor heading towards me. Views through the bins immediately had me onto this stunning Red Kite. A quick grab of the camera as it approached and then flew straight past me. Superb views of a bird I often only see from the car. What a smashing looking bird.

Taken by surprise as I hid behind the open boot of my car.

Golden Plover

I know of a field that often has Lapwings and Curlews in it at this time of year. They are joined by Golden Plover sometimes, but it seems like its a bit of pot luck as to whether you will see them or not.

I pull in frequently to check to see if they or anything else is there. It's a really triumphant feeling when you stop and scan the ground and there they are, scurrying about in all their finery. There were a up to a dozen on this evening, and some were making their lovely call. Nice to see them close up and not hundreds of yards away on a sandbank or field in Norfolk. They'll be here to breed, so hopefully I'll see a lot more of them in the coming weeks and months.

Common Sandpiper

Another fresh arrival to these shores is the Common Sandpiper. I found five the other evening around the shore line of a local reservoir. They were all very vocal and there was a lot of display going on and chasing from one side to the other. This all made it very easy for me to pick them out. It also meant I could stay in one place and watch them and just enjoy their exploits. I was the least of their worries as they jostled for a mate and territory. A super bird that I like to watch each year as it skirts around the banks for food. Just stay out of sight, or they will be off.

Garden Warbler - Lindow Common

I have never been able to photograph the Garden Warbler. These birds do not make it easy to see them, and more often that not they will sing from within trees or bushes. Also, they are not exactly brightly coloured birds, so not the easiest to spot as they move through the branches. During lockdown I found three pairs locally, and a couple of the males gave really good views. Of course, I didn't have my camera with me due to the restrictions. So I made it an aim of mine for this year to revisit the sites and see if they came back. This is where keeping handwritten records came in extremely useful, as I knew the dates and I'd seen them and where exactly.

I found two of the three pairs upon my first visit this year, and this time I had my camera at hand. They didn't exactly play ball as they did last year, but a little patience paid off, as I was able to get a few quick shots of one before it retreated back to it's hideaway. As you can see below, they are next going to win any awards for looks, but they do have a very nice song, and similar to that of the Blackcap.

The classic view of the Garden Warbler, if you are lucky.

It gradually made it's way into the open, but only briefly.

Pied Flycatchers in Cheshire

My recent visits to the Goyt Valley have been in hope of finding newly arrived migrants. One of those I always look forward to seeing again are the Pied Flycatchers. A lovely little black and white bird that flits around the canopy of the trees looking for it's meal. I came across my first one on the 18th April, which was almost identical to the previous years first finding. This particular male was singing, which helped me to track it down in the first instance. Seeing it after that was not so easy. I always forget how small they are, and it's always a job to see the movement through the branches. See it I did though, and spent a good amount of time watching it flit and pick off insects, then stop for a bit of song.

Male Pied Flycatcher

It briefly dropped to a lower level out of the sunlight. Amazing how colours change in the light.

A Moorland Feast

I'm so fortunate to live close to some fantastic bird habitats. One of those habitats is upland moors. Go at the wrong time of year, and you'd wonder if you're the only one alive up here, as it can be very desolate and the weather unforgiving. The wind howls through at speed and the icy chill can be felt no matter how many layers you have on. Fast forward to Spring, and it's still not particularly warm, but signs of life come from all angles. The Curlew can be heard bubbling, the Red Grouse pop their heads up and the Meadow Pipits are like swarms of flys as they are absolutely everywhere. Throw into the mix returning Wheatears, Golden Plover and if you're very lucky the Ring Ouzel, then it's a very special place to be.

Every year I make numerous visits hoping to see the Ring Ouzel return. I saw none last year, and was beginning to wonder if disturbance by many more walkers since Covid lockdown had pushed them on to other parts. Thankfully this year I have seen them on a few occasions and in song too. I hope this means that last year was just a blip. 

The female, which is brown and the bib not so crisp white as the male.

The male, black and a clean white bib.

Distant male Wheatear

Meadow Pipit