Biodiversity

 Action

 Plan

Spotted Flycatcher

UKBAP 2007 Priority Species

NERC Section 41 Species of Principal Importance

BoCC5 Red List [IUCN2 NT]

General protection W&C Act

Spotted Flycatcher, a streaky, grey-brown bird, darts out from a perch to catch flying insect prey mid-air.

In Barnsley, Spotted flycatcher is now scarce and local, mainly west of the M1

They are found in woodland with open glades, parks and mature gardens.

It eats large flying insects such as moths, butterflies  and craneflies.

Conservation measures

• Woodland management to maintain open areas and promote insect numbers
• Retain Ivy on trees and set up open-fronted nest boxes.
• Measures to reduce predation
• Monitoring of known sites

Habitats

• Mixed Deciduous Woodland
• Open wooded parkland
• Gardens with mature trees

They are migrant breeding birds arriving late April to early May.

They nest in tree cavities, on ledges and climbing plants, and use open-sided nest boxes.

Its decline may be due to poorer woodland quality, a lack of large flying insects and a loss of nesting habitat.

Predation mainly by Jay may be a factor, especially in woodland.

Conservation

• Maintain suitable habitat including by limited grazing
• Retain clear areas and prevent encroachment of scrub
• Retain prominent trees as song-posts.

Habitats

• Upland oakwood
• Mixed deciduous woodland
• Young & clear-fell plantations

The migrant Tree Pipit, arrives from mid April and nests on the ground from May to August.

Their decline may be due to issues on their migration routes or wintering grounds.  

It may also be due to changes in woodland structure with less management of wooded areas, plantations maturing, and the availability of ‘song-post’ trees.

Tree Pipit

UKBAP 2007 Priority Species

NERC Section 41 Species

BoCC5 Red List

General protection W&C Act

Tree pipits feed on the ground, but sing from  trees or bushes in a parachuting flight.

Scarce and possibly in decline in Barnsley, small numbers breed in open scrub or wooded places in upland areas.

They need trees in low densities and feed mainly on small insects and other invertebrates.

Conservation measures

• Maintain habitat structure in key woodland habitat:
• Maintain sparse ground vegetation through low intensity grazing

Habitat

• Upland oakwood
• Mixed deciduous woodland
• Beech Plantations

A summer migrant, they are present from April to August.

Their breeding season begins in May. They nest close to the ground, usually in scrub.

Their decline may be due to issues on their migration routes or wintering grounds. Here they may be affected by changes in their woodland habitat

Wood Warbler

UKBAP 2007 Priority Species

NERC Section 41 Species

BoCC5 Red List [IUCN2 VU]

General protection W&C Act

It is a migrant breeding bird arriving in April to early May.

They mainly eat insects and caterpillars but also fruit and seeds in late summer.

They use cavities in mature trees for nesting and will readily use nest boxes.

The causes of its decline may involve a lack of insect prey, competition and predation.

Pied Flycatchers fly out from trees to catch insects.

The male, black above and white underneath, has a bold white patch on its folded wing. Females are browner.

In the Barnsley area, Pied Flycatcher is scarce and local to broadleaved woods close to the moorland fringe around Langsett and Wharncliffe.

Conservation measures

• Maintain mature open broadleaved woodland in upland areas.
• Provide nest boxes in suitable sites and seal nest box holes until April to keep available

Habitats

• Mixed Deciduous Woodland in upland areas
• Upland Oakwood

Pied Flycatcher

BoCC5 Amber List [IUCN2 NT]

General protection W&C Act

Wood Warblers have a yellow

throat and eye stripe.

They are found in deciduous woodland under closed canopies with only a little shrub layer. 

Scarce and possibly in decline in Barnsley, small numbers breed in mature  oak  woods and beech plantations in upland areas.

They feed on insects & spiders.