SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (MUSCICAPA STRIATA)

LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Ecology

Appearance

The spotted flycatcher is a small bird, only 14cm long with grey-brown underparts, a streaked forehead and an off-white breast streaked with darker grey. They tend to perch conspicuously and watch for any passing insects, flying out to snap them up, before returning to their perch.

Habitat

They prefer woodland edges and parks and gardens but will also inhabit hedgerows, broadleaved woodland and even mature coniferous woodland.

Food

Spotted flycatchers eat insects, usually catching them in flight. In the autumn spotted flycatchers will also eat berries.

Predators

The grey squirrel and other nest predators affect the survival rates of the spotted flycatchers.

Life Style

* Spotted flycatchers arrive in the UK in May and leave again in July and August
* The breeding season starts in May and ends in
* The females have one or two clutches each season with between 4 and 5 eggs in each clutch.
* The first brood often helps the parents rear the second clutch.

Current Status

The spotted flycatcher is a Red List species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB, 1996), its numbers having declined in the UK by >50% over the last 25 years, it is also a species with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe. The spotted flycatcher is protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

Common Bird Census data has indicated a 62% decline in woodland and 70% decline on farmland between 1968 and 1991, with the current UK population being estimated at around 130,000 pairs.

A widespread summer migrant, the spotted flycatcher favours broadleaved woodland, hedgerows and mature trees, parkland and large gardens. The Cheshire population has been estimated at 1000 - 1250 pairs (Guest et al, 1992).

Threats

* Changes in agricultural practice resulting in a low availability of invertebrates during the summer.
* Loss of nesting habitat due to loss of:
- woodland
- parks
- hedgerows
*Weather effects:
- earlier breeding with warmer temperatures
- clutch sizes larger in drier weather

How are we helping to conserve spotted flycatchers in the Cheshire region?

* The Environmental Stewardship options provide grant aid to farmers to encourage environmentally sensitive management practices - options under this scheme will enhance the favoured habitat of the spotted flycatcher.
* Little action has been taken directly to conserve this species, although the provision of nestboxes will have encouraged breeding.
* The maintenance and creation of woodland clearings and rides will have benefited the species.
* BTO Common Bird Census and Breeding Bird Survey are on going.

Objectives, Targets and Actions

The objectives, targets and actions to help conserve the Spotted Flycatcher in the Cheshire region can be found on the Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) along with full details of our progress so far.

How to find out more about Spotted Flycatchers

Visit the RSPB website for information on the spotted flycatcher - www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/s/spottedflycatcher/index.asp
UK BAP for Spotted Flycatcher - www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=463

Contact details

LBAP Chair Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Phone: 01948 820728
National Lead Partners Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
National Contact Dr Sian Whitehead, Countryside Council for Wales
Phone: 01248 385641

References & Glossary
HMSO (1995) : Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London

http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/birds/Muscicapa_striata/more_info.html
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/spottedflycatcher/
http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/spotted_flycatcher.htm