02/08/2023 Kintyre, Argyll and Bute

Spotted Flycatcher: Working away on the beautiful  peninsula in western Scotland, Kintyre can be found in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The peninsula stretches about 30 miles, from the Mull of Kintyre in the south to East and West Loch Tarbert in the north.

After a tough days surveying out on the boggy, wet and hilly moor and plantation woodlands I stumbled across a single fudge bird biting attended by a single adult bird. 

Spotted flycatcher's are somewhat an ordinary-looking bird, mostly grey-brown in colour with paler streaks, particularly on the head and wings. It has a creamy white breast which is streaked with pale brown. 

But looks can be deceiving as they are one of Britains only two breeding flycatcher and soon to be a very scarce breeding bird here. 

They favour woodland edges and clearings, as well as parks and gardens. They are found across the UK, however they are less abundant in the far north and west so to see one up here is pretty special. 

 

Since the 1960s, the Spotted Flycatchers in the UK have suffered a massive decline in their numbers, with BTO figures showing an 89% reduction between 1967 and 2010. The reasons for the decline are thought to be numerous and may include less flying insects as a result of deterioration in woodland quality.

The fledging looked to be recently fledged and wasn't bothered my presence and was taking shelter from the prevailing Scottish rain and westerly winds.