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Spotted Flycatchers
Regular readers of Meldreth Matters may recall that Spotted Flycatchers have been monitored by Michael Holdsworth of the British Trust for Ornithology and local enthusiasts in recent years in Meldreth. These small endangered birds winter in sub-Saharan Africa and visit the UK to breed. So it is with fingers crossed that their arrival has been awaited this year. The earliest recorded sighting of them in Meldreth was in 2020 when they arrived on 5th May, by contrast with 2019 when they were not seen until 22nd May. This year the first sighting was on 7th May when a lone bird was seen investigating the nest box in which a brood was raised last year. We are of course hopeful that a mate will soon appear to join this lone bird. Our pleasure in observing the first of this year’s Flycatchers is curtailed by the fact that we cannot share the news with Michael who sadly died suddenly in September while on holiday in France. In his tribute to Michael Dr. Robin Cox, President of Cambridge Bird Club wrote: ‘When Spotted Flycatchers were found to be breeding in Meldreth Michael was soon on the spot with rings and geolocators. Word spread among a small group of villagers who took more than a passing interest in the birds and were fascinated and educated by Michael; he was never lost for an answer to their numerous questions. Thanks to Michael’s enthusiasm the group have ‘adopted’ the Flycatchers of which they had not hitherto been aware. They are anxiously waiting for the birds to return but are saddened that Michael will not be there to share their welcome.’
Jan Butchers and Ken McLean
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Stop Press:
As we go to press, there is good news. By 16th May three Spotted Flycatchers had been seen in the churchyard. We now know that the bird which had been seen on 6th May has a silver ring on its right leg. It spends a lot of time in the nest box, but we don’t know if it is sitting on eggs. The second bird seen has a ring on its left leg, while the third has no ring. It would appear that the two ringed birds may have visited Meldreth previously. Let’s hope that together they produce another brood of Meldreth Spotted Flycatchers.
