Spotted Flycatchers in Scotland
When the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is present in Scotland, when it nests, and which native Scotland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Scotland
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- June–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 16 g
- Nest box
- Open-fronted box
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect spotted flycatchers in Scotland
The Spotted Flycatcher arrives in Scotland in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Cool, long summer days; nesting generally starts two to three weeks later than in southern England.
Cool maritime in the west, more continental and drier in the east; the Highlands are markedly colder.
Nesting in Scotland
In Scotland the Spotted Flycatcher usually nests June–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 Scotland plants for spotted flycatchers
Of the native plants we track for Scotland, 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 Scotland all year?
No. The Spotted Flycatcher is a summer visitor to Scotland, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do spotted flycatchers nest in Scotland?
Typically June–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help spotted flycatchers in Scotland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Scotland 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 Scotland
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.