It’s the second week of May and our summer visitors are continuing to arrive…and Kiersten has taken some fantastic shots of another seasonal favourite. Our Spotted Flycatchers have returned once again, and it’s another first for the year! At first sight undoubtedly one of our more unassuming birds. Get the right view though, and there are some nice details to look for..take a closer look at the superb images below.
Note the distinctive streaking in the plumage of the head. Streaks too on the paler chest… but there are other clues to clinch the identity. Bold and alert, the Spotted Flycatcher will often sit bolt upright as it watches for prey. Flies and other insects are acrobatically snatched in mid air…and the flycatcher returns to its favourite perch.
They breed right across Europe, but numbers have declined in places. A rare sight for me the UK then, but the close mix of sunny olive groves, orchards, broken open ground and woodland that surrounds Lanjaron suits it perfectly. Last year I was amazed by their sheer numbers locally and really hope it’s the same this year.
Enjoy the photos…a nice start to the birdwatching month! As always, please keep checking in for all the latest news, we’ll keep posting the updates…
