Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata

The Spotted Flycatcher is grey-brown in colour with an off-white breast, streaked with darker grey and a streaked forehead. Characteristically,they like to perch conspicuously and watch for passing insects, flying out to snap them up, before returning to the same perch.

Best looked for along woodland edges and in parks and gardens.

They mainly arrive in May, and leave again in July and August. Passage birds from northern Europe can be seen in September.

Feeds on insects.

During the breeding season Spotted Flycatchers can be found throughout the UK, although they are scarce in the far north and west and almost absent from Scottish islands. High densities are found from Devon and Kent as far north as the Dornoch Firth. A recent dramatic population decline puts the Spotted Flycatcher high on the Red List.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.