Spotted Flycatchers in England
When the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is present in England, when it nests, and which native England plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in England
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 16 g
- Nest box
- Open-fronted box
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect spotted flycatchers in England
The Spotted Flycatcher arrives in England in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Warm rather than hot, with dry spells in July and August when a clean bird bath matters as much as food.
Temperate maritime: mild, damp and changeable, drier and sunnier in the south-east than the north-west.
Nesting in England
In England the Spotted Flycatcher usually nests May–July. Nest site: ledges, climbers, open boxes. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days; chicks fledge after 12–16 days, and pairs raise 1–2 per year.
- Nest box: Open-fronted box. Put boxes up by February and clean them out between September and January.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native England plants for spotted flycatchers
Of the native plants we track for England, these 8 provide food the Spotted Flycatcher uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Flying insects.
- Does not visit feeders — habitat and water are what bring it in.
- Uses open-fronted boxes against walls with climbers.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are spotted flycatchers in England all year?
No. The Spotted Flycatcher is a summer visitor to England, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do spotted flycatchers nest in England?
Typically May–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help spotted flycatchers in England?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to England and provide food or cover the Spotted Flycatcher uses.
What nest box does the Spotted Flycatcher use?
Open-fronted box.
Spotted Flycatchers in other countries
Other garden birds in England
Sources
- Spotted Flycatcher — RSPB bird guide
- Spotted Flycatcher — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.