Spotted Flycatchers in Ireland
When the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is present in Ireland, when it nests, and which native Ireland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Ireland
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 16 g
- Nest box
- Open-fronted box
When to expect spotted flycatchers in Ireland
The Spotted Flycatcher arrives in Ireland in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Cool, moist summers. Ireland has no native Nuthatch or Green Woodpecker, and Great Spotted Woodpecker has only recolonised since 2006.
Oceanic climate — mild, humid and consistently wet, especially in the west.
Nesting in Ireland
In Ireland 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 Ireland plants for spotted flycatchers
Of the native plants we track for Ireland, 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 Ireland all year?
No. The Spotted Flycatcher is a summer visitor to Ireland, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do spotted flycatchers nest in Ireland?
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 Ireland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Ireland 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 Ireland
Sources
- Spotted Flycatcher — RSPB bird guide
- Spotted Flycatcher — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — BirdWatch Ireland / BTO
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.