Out of Africa

The Pied Flycatchers are back from Africa, as the British countryside is bursting with life and beauty now.

To those that follow my work regular you’re know that at this time of year one of my favourite summer migrants arrives from Africa, the Pied Flycatcher.

These birds are stunning, small in size, big in character with a beautiful call that rings out among this shaded, dense habitat they live in.

Their numbers are quite low and they are on the “red” list of species by the RSPB meaning there is real concern for them. They are also protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Recently I’ve visited this special place they return to each year by travelling there on my mountain bike with my camera bag on my back. As part of my daily exercise under the government’s lockdown rules.

There are a number of nestboxes at this location that have been provided by the local wildlife trust over the years. Each year a lot of them are home to these birds that travel all the way from Africa to our shores to raise their family before heading back to Africa in late August, which I find just incredible.

The results of these special moments I’ve had so far with these Pied Flycatchers can be seen in the following images.

The wood is also home to so many other species of birds. This Robin and Chaffinch came quite close to where I was laying down on the forest floor. The Chaffinch even caught a daddy long legs not far away either.

When you go for your daily walk or daily exercise make sure you take your camera with you, as you just never know what you’re see.

Don’t let this virus impact your lives any more than it has too. Stick to the rules to protect lives and nhs.uk. Learn to work with what nature presents to you.

We are all suffering in different ways due to this coronavirus, missing family,  friends, loss of work, money, routine, and uncertain futures

One thing you must never forget though is that “Nature” is free, it’s all around us and it’s the best medicine for challenging times.