The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Baumber Churchyard 14.8.12

Four maybe five Spotted Flycatchers present most of today in and around the churchyard, also Hobby 2, C.Buzzard 2, Willow Warbler 2 and Longtailed Tit approx 10.

Cheers Greg.

Greg
was there from 1730 - 1930 I reckon at least 8 Spot Fly inc juveniles ?
2 Hobby overhead plus
GS Woodpecker
Little Owl

Cheers

Russ

Russ, yes there were some juv's but difficult to give accurate numbers.

Nice Hobby pics mate !

Cheers

Greg and Russ,

Further to your posts (thanks ), I arrived at Baumber just after 11.00 this morning. I parked at the entrance to Baumber Farm, intending to walk past the Rectory and across the field to the Churchyard. There was a car parked on the road at the entrance to the Rectory and as I passed, the driver, who had noticed my binoculars, opened his door and said, "Are you looking for the Spotted Flycatchers? If so, there are 5 right in front, including young birds. I've been watching them." Sure enough, at and around the entrance to the Rectory there were instantly visible one or two adult SpotFlys flitting around the outside of the hedge and I later saw a juvenile perched on an iron railing in the hedge.

After 5 or 10 minutes, the action lessened - perhaps they had gone to the other side of the hedge..... I entered the field in front of the Rectory and immediately noticed further Flycatcher movement. I stayed just by the Rectory ha-ha (ditch) for about an hour and by my reckoning there were in the Rectory front garden sheltered area (to the left of the house) 2 or 3 juveniles and 3 or 4 adults, with constant action as one or another flew out from the bushes/low trees. The juveniles were feeding themselves and I didn't see any adults feeding them.

So, clearly Russ and Greg's group had moved from the Churchyard - which I later visited briefly but there were no SpotFlys there in the strong wind vigorously moving the tree branches - to the sunny and sheltered area of the Rectory front garden.

On my way back to my car at c. 12.20, I again saw a juvenile perched on the same railing (and flying out after insects) and also an adult flycatching nearby along the road .......a good 50 yards or so from the main group.

My provisional total, then, would be at least 7.....3 juveniles and 4 adults, although one or two more could well have been around the area.

Freddy

Freddy

For your information the house you visited is called Baumber House. The Old Vicarage to Baumber is at the other end of the village about as far from the church as you can get!
I was watching this group of flycatchers feeding busily last saturday afternoon at the west side of the churchyard where incidentally is the main access track to the church off the A158 from a blind entrance to a small mown carpark.
Also an additional site for your excellent records is Snipe Dales Country Park. Spot flys have been regular breeders there for a great many years and the warden told me only yesterday that there had been at least 2 pairs present this summer with 1pr fledging young.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the info. Somebody else in conversation referred to it as 'The Rectory' and I continued the name.....it is certainly a very imposing residence.

I meant to get to Snipe Dales in the summer( I had a SpotFly there last year) but the thought of the Skegness traffic on the A158 kept putting me off. I must make a special effort next year and perhaps access the Country Park on side roads from Horncastle.

Freddy

15.8.12

3 Spotted Flycatchers present this evening high in trees at front of Baumber Church, also Little Owl 1, Tawny Owl 1.

Cheers Greg

To add to the extensive Spotted Flycatcher survey in the county this year, 3 very spotty juvenile Spotted Flycatchers feeding in apple tress in my garden (East Keal) this morning. I presume they bred nearby, hoping they'll find one of my open fronted nest boxes next year,

Phil

Freddy.
Did the rounds of all the sites from last year at Waddington today and not a sign of the elusive Spot Fly's, will have a look tues/wed night as i am on night's.
Brian.

Brian,

After all the work you've put in recording Spotted Flycatchers at RAF Waddington over the years it must be very disappointing to have such a 'lean' summer this year. We had some torrential local downpours in June and July which could well have put paid to any nesting attempts.

Hopefully, however, you might still locate some late second brood juveniles with a few adults in this better weather. Good Luck!

Regards,

Freddy

Freddy.
We can but hope. If you still have my mobile no give me a ring tomorrow as I am in work and need!! a private chat.
BNrian.