heliastes21's Journal

Late summer can be a quiet period for birders, awaiting the increased pace of the autumn migration. The Wood Sandpiper is a smart wader with elegant proportions, a strong eye stripe and speckled plumage. An attractive passage migrant, scarce in spring but more numerous in autumn. Movement to, and from, breeding and wintering areas takes place overland, largely to the east of the UK. The largest numbers occur in east-coast counties, especially East Anglia.

Migrating Wood Sandpipers break their journey to refuel, preferring small shallow wetlands with plenty of emergent vegetation. Individuals using such sites can be surprisingly difficult to see as they forage amongst the tall plants. In Britain, I have seen this species at the RSPB Buckenham Marshes, NWT Hickling Broad, NWT Holme Dunes and NWT Cley Marshes reserves in Norfolk. However, I have also seen them at the other end of their migration routes, typically in October and November, in Zambia (South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks) and in South Africa (Kruger National Park).

Spotted flycatchers are migratory birds, spending the winter in Africa. They arrive in the UK to breed from late April to early May, building a nest out of grass, lichens and twigs, usually in a sheltered crevice. The spotted flycatcher is often the last migrant bird species to reach the UK for the summer months. They typically depart at the end of August. BTO research has shown that some head as far south as Namibia, around 7,000 km from their breeding location.

The spotted flycatcher population is in serious decline. Between 1967 and 2020, the population dropped by 92%, making it a red list species of conservation concern. While the definitive reason is unclear, there are many possible explanations for the decline. Conditions in their wintering grounds in Africa could be to blame, as could a decline in flying insects (their main food source).

I have only observed this species twice in Norfolk (and only managed to get a photo once).