birderUK007
Well-known member
Yesterday I returned to a spot by a river in Gloucestershire, UK, where I had previously seen Spotted Flycatchers last year. I found 4 birds darting out a good few feet from the bushes/trees, catching insects over the river then looping back to the trees again. At a distance the behaviour screamed Spotted Flycatcher. When I got a little closer however I was surprised by how brown the birds looked and thought they looked more like Chiffchaffs. No calls were heard and sadly my views never improved and I left well and truly confused.
I know Chiffchaffs flitter about and catch insects midair but I thought the behaviour I witnessed was unique to Flycatchers. Has anyone else seen Chiffchaffs behave this way or do you think I was looking at perhaps juvenile Spotted Flycatchers hence the darker brown tones? I should add no white wing marks present so Pied Flycatchers ruled out.
I know Chiffchaffs flitter about and catch insects midair but I thought the behaviour I witnessed was unique to Flycatchers. Has anyone else seen Chiffchaffs behave this way or do you think I was looking at perhaps juvenile Spotted Flycatchers hence the darker brown tones? I should add no white wing marks present so Pied Flycatchers ruled out.