Mystery bird - south west France (1 Viewer)

[Susan K]

It is known that inexperienced observers have trouble finding the source of a sound, so in this case it's possible that the Redstart is calling out of sight and a totally different bird is flying with the Martins. Another assumption, that's why I start with the original description and ask questions.

It is definitely the Redstart that is flying around and perching under the roof of the open barn which is the Martins' nesting area. I have spent quite some time watching it over several days. It flies onto the roof, as in the photos, then under the roof, perches on beams from where it often flies vertically to the floor and then up again, flies in and out of the crevices occupied by Martin nests, all the time making its clicking call. If the Martins are around it flies with them. I'm not confusing it with more than one bird.

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

It is definitely the Redstart that is flying around and perching under the roof of the open barn which is the Martins' nesting area. I have spent quite some time watching it over several days. It flies onto the roof, as in the photos, then under the roof, perches on beams from where it often flies vertically to the floor and then up again, flies in and out of the crevices occupied by Martin nests, all the time making its clicking call. If the Martins are around it flies with them. I'm not confusing it with more than one bird.

In this case I replied to a specific post. It was an example, my point was that we better not make assumptions about the level of experience a forum member has. Admittedly, I could have used a more general example but I was not the one who had doubts about your story.

 

[Richard Prior]

It is definitely the Redstart that is flying around and perching under the roof of the open barn which is the Martins' nesting area. I have spent quite some time watching it over several days. It flies onto the roof, as in the photos, then under the roof, perches on beams from where it often flies vertically to the floor and then up again, flies in and out of the crevices occupied by Martin nests, all the time making its clicking call. If the Martins are around it flies with them. I'm not confusing it with more than one bird.

Well done for resolving the mystery for us Susan, the third of your photos show the Black Redstart carrying food in its bill so it's either got a nest or young tucked away nearby!

 

[Susan K]

Well done for resolving the mystery for us Susan, the third of your photos show the Black Redstart carrying food in its bill so it's either got a nest or young tucked away nearby!

No, thank you and everyone else here for solving the mystery for me! I have just one more question: are these birds territorial? They seem to be nesting close enough together to imply that they aren't but can that really be the case?

 

[Richard Prior]

No, thank you and everyone else here for solving the mystery for me! I have just one more question: are these birds territorial? They seem to be nesting close enough together to imply that they aren't but can that really be the case?

House Martins nest communally so tolerate each others' close presence without a problem. Black Redstart on the other hand are territorial in that they'll chase off other Black Redstart that intrude on their territory. So they won't be bothered if House Martin are nesting near them. I'm pretty sure that our Black Redstart do the clicking call once nesting is underway and can be particularly loud and insistent if they feel a predator is getting close to their nest/young.
Oh, and don't be put off by the sometimes lively differences of opinion that you can already see on this, your first thread, Birdforum is just like any other (occasionally dysfunctional) family!

 

[Susan K]

"Oh, and don't be put off by the sometimes lively differences of opinion that you can already see on this, your first thread, Birdforum is just like any other (occasionally dysfunctional) family!"

No problem I'm just happy to have been able to tap into this knowledge-base! Thank you all for your comments.