Fascinated by flycatchers

Val delights in her visiting spotted flycatcher friends…

- Val Bourne

EVERY year has its highlights, although this year wildlife and insect life have struggled in my garden after the incredibly cold spring. As I write, I haven’t seen a hummingbird hawk-moth hovering over our red valerian and that’s a common sight in most summers. Small copper butterflies have been absent and I’ve only seen one large skipper.

Thankfully, I have been entertained by two spotted flycatchers in the bare branches at the top of an old holly tree above the roof of my cottage. They sit there in the afternoons and leave the branches to chase flying insects, then return to their perches. We probably wouldn’t have noticed them, but we’ve moved our garden table away from the path in front of the cottage because it’s full of plants. They’re the Best Beloved’s pride and joy, but they were being trodden on! No guesses who by…