The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Brian Eke, Bird Control Operator, kindly invited me to RAF Waddington today (Sunday) and fitting in our Spotted Flycatcher 'hunt' periods around Brian's official duties, I spent some 4 hours on the base - complete with my official MOD pass incl. photo. It was the first extended opportunity this year that Brian had been able to devote to some Sp Fly hunting and with myself as companion it meant 2 pairs of eyes on the lookout.

RAF Waddington covers a vast area of several square miles ( the main runway is some one and a half miles long ) and there are many dozens of suitable Sp Fly territories with miles of fencing, closely cut grassy areas, isolated perching posts/signs, mature trees, etc.

In all, Brian (with some 16 years' experience at RAF Waddington as to the best places to look) and I located 5 separate breeding territories, each one with adult birds and having at least 1 fledged young (spotted) bird present and seen and up to 4 fledged young. Further, by chance, Brian had located a 6th territory yesterday (16 July) in the pouring rain......but we drew a blank there today. Apparently in some previous years breeding territories at RAF Waddington have approached double figures and later in the week (on a day off) Brian hopes to search areas we didn't cover today.

RAF Waddington is clearly the Number One known Spotted Flycatcher site in Lincolnshire and, with thanks to Brian for such an enjoyable bonanza of Sp Flys, I was privileged to join him today in the hunt for what many of us consider to be an elusive species in Lincolnshire. Fortunately, the weather stayed 'fine' for us throughout and it wasn't until I was driving home later in the afternoon ( every bit of 5 minutes from Waddington to BBH) that the heavens opened.

Freddy

Hi Freddie

Reading the details of the work you had to undertake to see these Spotted Flys struck a cord with me that demonstrates how random this hobby, passion can be. Last night my wife and I decided to take a quick walk around Canwick where we live at about 8pm. Usually, I would take my binos with me, but decided last night not to. As we were walking down a small path a bird jumped across the trees in front of us but confidently showing, as we stood under the tree, along with Guide Dog Jazz. Guess what with no preparation or hunting it was a Spotted Fly starring back at me.

Really goes to prove that so often a good sighting is down to more luck rather than judgement!!! Our last sighting was at the RSPB's Pulborough Brooks while on holiday in Sussex, and that day some of the voluntary staff were chasing around looking for the Spotted Fly.

Andrew

Freddy

I have replied to your PM from earlier about location, but it is saying the message is stuck in my Inbox. If you haven't had the message let me know and I will re-send.

Andrew

Andrew, I have read with interest your comments about luck/judgement when birding and, to save the strong possibility of this thread being teletransported to LBC Bird Chat as a result of my reply, I've followed up your post on that website.

Freddy

Freddy.
Had another search today and saw
1 at the range
1 at the watertower
2 at the officers mess
1 at the guardroom
Nothing around the 2 hangars but with it being such a nice day there were quite a few birds flitting around high up in the canopy and nothing was settling long enough up there to get a confirmed view.

I reckon we have 6/7 territories and would'nt surprise me if their were more>

Cheer's
Brian.

Brian,
Pleased to learn that the Sp Flys are still showing well at RAF Waddington and with new territories being added, too. After all, away from the open area of the airfield itself, there are many dozens of acres/hectares of suitable habitat with that network of roads, administrative buildings, sports facilities, open areas (many of them with closely mown grass and miles of fencing which Sp Flys love for flycatching activity), hundreds of mature trees,etc.

As you say, there could now be at least seven breeding pairs around; but even the confirmed number of six pairs easily makes RAF Waddington the most important known Spotted Flycatcher site in Lincolnshire and possibly in the Midlands.

Freddy