The Pied Flycatchers’ Story | volunteering with the BTO

This is the story of the wonderful small migratory birds called pied flycatchers which nest on our patch in Mid Wales near Llanidloes. Pied flycatchers breed in the western areas of Great Britain before migrating thousands of miles to overwinter in West Africa. They particularly like deciduous woodland and in our case are nesting alongside the infant River Severn in nest boxes we have erected for the purpose.
For the past 2 years we have been observing the pied flycatcher nests closely in spring and early summer as volunteer ornithologists on the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) Nest Record Scheme. There have been highs and lows as recorded in the video - and we have learnt an incredible amount already, especially with the help of Ceri our local bird ringer.
The data we gather is uploaded to the BTO website - the Nest Record Scheme is the largest, longest-running and most highly computerised of such schemes in the world. Until last year pied flycatchers were on the Red list of birds of conservation concern so of highest conservation concern due to declining numbers. Then in 2021 they were moved to the Amber list due to less severe declines in populations.
You can find out more about the BTO Nest Record Scheme on the BTO website: www.bto.org/ou...
Tune
Sonny's Mazurka played on cittern by Graham Brand
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[@ieuanevans6594]

Brilliant!

[@TheTenterhookTimes]

Thank you! 😀

[@andydavies6891]

Well done both for a fantastic insight into your project, packed with interesting facts about one of of our favourite summer visitors x

[@grahambrand1133]

Thanks Andy, for the help you and Ceri gave us.

[@TheTenterhookTimes]

Thanks - so glad you enjoyed the video 😀 We really appreciate your ongoing support. Here's looking forward to the 2022 season!

[@andrewdavies7496]

Ceri and I are glad to be of service. Fingers crossed for a lovely spring for the birds to do there thing x

[@jez041]

Absolutely brilliantly put together. And I can personal vouche for the hard work and commitment of Andy and Ceri. Amazing people who are always willing to help if they can. X

[@TheTenterhookTimes]

Thank you for your lovely comment! 😊 We certainly enjoyed putting the video together and reliving all the highs and lows of this project from the past 2 years (and further back even).

[@philipfreeman987]

The detail on this makes it fascinating. Good work all round.

[@grahambrand1133]

Glad you liked it Philip.

[@TheTenterhookTimes]

Thank you! 😀 The pied flycatcher is a remarkable bird - we only wish we knew more about the pied flycatchers' day-to-day lives in West Africa which (lucky for them given tonight's gale!) is where they are now.

[@rexgeorg7324]

a friend of mine made bird boxes from thick drain pipe

[@TheTenterhookTimes]

If thick drain pipe stops grey squirrels gaining access and taking the young birds then that sounds like a good suggestion! We are having some new boxes made at the moment which hopefully will keep predators at bay 🤞

[@sandyscott2392]

Fantasic video, really informative and shows just what is achievable. I am part of the Camlad Valley Community Wildlife Group who are looking to encourage more Pied F activity in our area. Are you happy for me to share your video with our group to inspire them?

[@TheTenterhookTimes]

Feel free to share the video with your group and we hope it does inspire them to monitor the pied flycatcher activity in your area. It's one of the most interesting wildlife projects we've been involved with and it's literally on our doorstep! Wishing you all the best with your project 👍