Spotted Flycatchers

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Hi,

Just wondered if anybody has had any sucess in getting them to nest in boxes? I've put one up at my lake around 12ft up

John

[Helen]

I've never tried, but have had a pair in the garden last year and the previous year. I are in woodland, with plenty of natural nesting places.

[nightshade]

There was a pair in a nest box on a private reserve near here,the box was one of three set at about 12feet

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Thaks for the replies, i'm putting another box near the waters edge, so hopefully we'll get some nesting

[John]

I wish you the best of luck John. If you are succesful let me know once they are out of the nest as I struggled the last couple of years to see one.

An ever decreasing species on our shores and they are no longer as common as they used to be.

John

[henrya]

Only nests I've seen were at three feet and five feet. Are they supposed to prefer higher sites?

henrya

[nightshade]

It must depend on availability, perhaps higher perches did not suit

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by nightshade

There was a pair in a nest box on a private reserve near here,the box was one of three set at about 12feet

Just wondered whether you have any views on the best place to site them?the one i've put up was on a willow facing south as to avoid the cold winds of the coast i've got another today to put up

[Helen]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

Just wondered whether you have any views on the best place to site them?the one i've put up was on a willow facing south as to avoid the cold winds of the coast i've got another today to put up

We are on the side of a very cold north facing escarpment. The flycatchers have been here the past two summers in the garden, but I can't quite figure out whether or not they are actually nesting in the garden!

[nightshade]

South is usually good most nest boxes I have seen that are occupied are SE,SW, as well. Prevailing winds as you say will probably influence things
The boxes were schwegler 2gr and 1b's the occupied box was the 2gr.

[jerryh]

I'm sure I read somewhere that Spotted Fly's like to have a view out over an open hunting area.
A few years ago, I put up a box for them. A pair investigated, one of them doing a delightful tail-wagging dance in the front of the box, but they never actually took up residence.
Jerry

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I'm putting them facing out over a lake, so there should be plenty of fly's around for them will try and climb a tree tomorrow and get it a good 12ft+ up, hopefully without falling in

[nightshade]

I hope the fledglings can swim, good luck and be careful

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I hope the fledglings can swim, good luck and be careful

Thats a good point actually

[Alan]

Last year we had some spottyflys nesting behind a drain pipe under the eaves at about 20 feet in height. The year before they nested behind a trellis with piracanther growing on it at only 5 feet. Southerly positions with some shade, and looking over lawns seem to work the best in my experience.