May 132012
Well, I got a real surprise yesterday, when the DNA results were announced on the “Flamborough ficedula Flycatcher” – see Probable Atlas Flycatcher – they pointed to nominate Pied Flycatcher!!
What !!!
I must confess I found it difficult to believe but who am I to argue against the Science. Nevertheless I am glad I went to observe this intriguing bird and all may not be over yet.
Personally I still think it is not a straight forward Pied Flycatcher. Consensus of opinion is still leaning towards an Iberian Pied Flycatcher.
Our usual team decided to head off into the North Derbyshire Oak woods today and take a look at “proper” Pied Fly’s!. We had at least 6 singing males and several females. One or two males did show a larger than normal fore-head patch and plenty of white in the wing. But none showed anywhere near the amount that the Flamborough bird was showing. None looked so intense velvet black. The bird in the following pictures came closest to the Flamborough bird.
I was surprised at just how few birds seemed to be about today, despite the warm sunshine. We had very few birds in the woodland. Apart from the flycatchers, 4 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Tree Pipit, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, a few Wren, a few Chaffinch – I fly-by Tawny Owl. No Redstart or Wood Warbler despite extensive searching? Two species of butterfly – Peacock & Speckled Wood.
Further North upon the moors it was pleasing to see good numbers of Ring Ouzel about. Also a male Whinchat and several male Stonechat. A pair of Red Grouse with a brood of 7 very tiny newly hatched youngsters. Plenty of Swifts moving through and several Curlew singing. Eventually we did find a singing Wood Warbler. Really disappointing to see this attractive warbler disappearing from the Derbyshire Woodlands.
Year list finally breaks the 200 hundred barrier at 201.
IMAGES – No:1, 2 & 3 male Pied Flycatcher / No:4 Tree Pipit / No:5 Peacock / No:6 Speckled Wood.
