2023 has seen a record-breaking breeding season for migratory Pied Flycatchers, with numbers having elevated throughout a number of RSPB nature reserves. Regardless of nationwide declines and pressures alongside their migratory route, Pied Flycatchers have had a record-breaking breeding season at quite a lot of RSPB nature reserves. Their success comes on account of devoted conservation efforts carried out by RSPB workers and volunteers. On account of woodland administration, nature reserves reminiscent of RSPB Coombes Valley and Consall Woods, and Haweswater are celebrating rising numbers of the species.
2023 has seen a record-breaking breeding season for migratory Pied Flycatchers, with numbers having elevated throughout a number of RSPB nature reserves.
The amber listed hen spends spring and summer time breeding within the UK earlier than returning to West Africa throughout our winter. Though small, the males have putting black and white plumage whereas females are brown and white.
Like many different migratory hen species, Pied Flycatchers are dealing with complicated challenges each in breeding and wintering areas, whereas elevated frequency of climate occasions linked to local weather change could cause points each on migration and right here within the UK.
Pied Flycatcher, copyright Glyn Sellors, from the surfbirds galleries
Though additional science and monitoring is required to assist perceive and tackle the challenges they face, the birds have fortunately flourished in RSPB managed woodlands throughout spring 2023, together with at RSPB Coombes and Consall Woods in Staffordshire and Haweswater in Cumbria.
Nestled within the Lake District, Haweswater, which the RSPB manages in partnership with the landowner United Utilities, has celebrated the best variety of Pied Flycatchers recorded in 10 years. In 2023, 29 singing males have been recorded which suggests a complete inhabitants of fifty to 60 pairs throughout the reserve.
Speaking of the species’ success, Spike Webb, RSPB warden at Haweswater stated: I’ve been monitoring Pied Flycatchers within the historical woodlands of Haweswater for a few years. Their inhabitants right here has all the time been fairly regular which has been actually encouraging for us at Haweswater.”
“This summer time we had the perfect quantity in 10 years. On condition that these birds come all the way in which from West Africa in Spring to breed right here within the Lake District, it’s all the time a pleasure to see them again within the forests of Haweswater and particularly when their numbers are so good.”
In Staffordshire, the variety of the putting birds occupying nest containers at RSPB Coombes Valley and Consall Woods in 2023 was additionally a document 12 months, with 66 birds counted.
In the meantime, in Wales, the RSPB are working with volunteers to supply nest containers for the species, whereas Highland Cattle grazing is getting used to create the suitable habitat circumstances within the Celtic Rainforest. Pied flycatchers will also be discovered at Lake Vyrnwy, in Powys, and over in Scotland, a mission is underway to spice up numbers at RSPB Wooden of Cree.
Spike continued: “The conservation efforts of our superb workers and volunteers throughout our woodland nature reserves is nothing wanting superb and is prone to profit a spread of species alongside Pied Flycatchers.
Whereas these constructive interventions are making a distinction at websites like Haweswater, we mustn’t neglect that like different migratory species, these birds are being affected by local weather change alongside their migratory routes. Subsequently, we should proceed to look past our nature reserves to deal with the nationwide decline of Pied flycatchers in order that they will thrive once more in woodlands throughout Britain.”
The success for Pied flycatchers this 12 months at RSPB Coombes Valley and Consall woods and at Haweswater is because of devoted conservation efforts together with habitat administration within the woodlands these birds name residence. RSPB workers and volunteers have put in specifically designed Pied Flycatcher nest containers, in addition to clearing dense development from the woodland understory reminiscent of Holly. In doing so, different vegetation have been capable of flourish, reminiscent of Bluebells, Wooden Anemone and Wooden Sorrel, in flip attracting extra bugs for Pied Flycatchers to feed on.
This work is essential, particularly as native climate can negatively affect on their breeding success. Offering good high quality habitat, together with a spot to nest, will doubtless turn into much more crucial as local weather change continues to affect our climate right here within the UK.
