Swanpool migrants 21/08.

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:19 am

No sign of female Redstart this morning but male in same hedge, also 1 Chiffchaff. 1 Whinchat & 2 Whitethroats in weedy field S of Catchwater drain. 2 Green Woodpeckers on drain bank, c25 Goldfinches & 5 Yellowhammers.

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 4:14 pm

Adult Spotted Flycatcher in same hedge as Redstart this afternoon.

With Pete Scott.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:48 pm

The first Spotted Flycatcher to arrive this year at Swanpool......let's hope it stays around a day or two.

Freddy

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:33 am

I spent an hour and a half at Swanpool this morning (09.00-10.30) looking for migrants. Early on, I had a Whitethroat at the Copse, and Pete Scott and I enjoyed views of the reported male Redstart, flanked by a couple of Whitethroats, in the hedge running N from the bridge.

Pete Scott confirmed where he had seen the Spotted Flycatcher yesterday afternoon AND also 15 minutes previously this morning.....but, although I spent the best part of an hour observing the reported area, I didn't connect. Perhaps the SpotFly will return later today or tomorrow, or another could arrive 'ere long.

Freddy

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:03 pm

A quick look late afternoon produced a female Redstart.

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:29 pm

Female Redstart still present late afternoon, Thursday.

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:11 am

At least 5 Spotted Flycatchers & female Redstart in hedges this morning.

With Rob Carr.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:07 pm

Just as Andy had finished texting his LBC Sightings post this morning 'in the field' from Swanpool, I met up with him and Rob Carr. Andy must have initially thought,"OMG - that was quick!" Anyway, he immediately showed me the hedgerow with 4 Spotted Flycatchers on one side and a 5th on the other.

The female Redstart put in an appearance and a Hobby flew over being harassed by a Crow. I stayed around for about an hour, enjoying the continuous sightings of the SpotFlys plus an occasional view of the Redstart.

Many thanks to Andy for a most enjoyable and successful Swanpool trip; I was also pleased to meet up with Rob and have the opportunity to thank him personally for his help in my catching up with some Woodhall Spa Spotted Flycatchers.

Freddy

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 3:04 pm

Plus a male Redstart in the same hedge this afternoon.

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:12 pm

3 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Redstarts, male & female, in hedge this afternoon.

Russell Hayes · **Posted:** Sat Aug 25, 2012 7:00 pm

At least 5 Spotted Flycatchers this afternoon all seemed to be adults plus
Male & Female Redstart
Lesser Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Common Buzzard
flock of Long-tailed Tits
6-8 Willow Warblers
and a few Goldfinch

Russell with Matt Strahan

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:47 pm

I arrived at Swanpool this morning (Sun) at c.11.00 just as the sun was coming out. I made my way (in the necessary wellingtons) to the N. side of the 'action' hedgerow and had immediate views of 3 Spotted Flycatchers flying out and feeding. Hoping for more action, I went through a gap in the hedgerow and again very quickly counted 3 SpotFlys on that S. side. This recalled Russell's phrase of yesterday afternoon, "at least 5". During the next hour or so, three or four times I slipped and slid through the much used (by cows!!) 'cow' gap and on 2 further occasions I counted 4 and 2, 3 and 3. So, perhaps there were indeed 6 SpotFlys showing this morning (and later yesterday afternoon).

Other birds in the same hedgerow area included (as mainly viewed form the 'busier' S. side) :

Whitethroat - 2, possibly 3
Lesser Whitethroat
Greenfinch
Goldfinch 4/5
Titmice - 3 species
Robin
.....and another on-going star....
the male Redstart.

In one purple patch in bright, warm sunshine, there were in view at the same time 5 Spotted Flycatchers, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin and the male Redstart ( around a 4 foot- high gap in the hedgerow with many bare rose branches providing excellent perches.....the Robin seemed to be 'shadowing' the Redstart on several occasions). On another occasion, the Redstart - mainly seen briefly - moved along the outside of the hedgerow (perhaps 30 yards) over a good minute , perching from time to time in full view........Brilliant.....and what a terrific autumn migrant site Swanpool is.

Freddy

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:46 pm

Female Redstart, very vocal, still present this afternnoon, Monday.

No sign of any flycatchers today, 1 Spotted Flycatcher was still there yesterday afternoon.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:40 pm

Andy,
That confirms my quick check this morning c.08.45 - 09.00.....just a 15 minute visit before taking my car for its annual service, 10 minutes' drive away. All the Spotted Flycatchers had disappeared : 'the birds had flown.'

....perhaps to the Fillingham Lake area as per a Dean Nicholson message......I'll be checking that out tomorrow, weather permitting!

As for Swanpool.....There'll be another SpotFly (or more) along soon.

Freddy

Chris Grimshaw · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:08 pm

Yes I didn't see any flycatchers or redstarts this afternoon. My best was a jay and a couple of willow warblers

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Swanpool migrants 21/08.

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