Spotted Flycatchers of the Western Mendips: Vale Of Winscombe Section

This paper reports on the unexpected discovery of a breeding population of Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata in the Vale of Winscombe, Western Mendips, a finding that challenges my long-held assumption of their local extinction. After a decade living in the Vale without a single breeding record and amid the species' well-documented national decline, I discovered a pair in a local wood in 2024. This prompted me to undertake a more comprehensive search during the spring and summer of 2025 using historic records and extensive field observations from public rights of way and open-access land. My surveys revealed 20 Spotted Flycatcher territories: 13 Confirmed, 5 Probable, and 2 Possible. Each territory cluster likely represents a small sub-population, with others possible in under-surveyed areas. This is a significant result, as no recent Confirmed or Probable breeding records exist for the Vale. Most territories were on hillsides within mosaic habitats - specifically woodland margins, rides, and glades bordering species-rich grasslands or lightly grazed pastures - which provide ideal foraging and nesting conditions. This discovery leads me to suggest that the Vale of Winscombe and the broader Western Mendips may be an overlooked stronghold for this Red-listed species. While encouraging, these results are likely to reflect a persistent population rather than a recent recovery. This study highlights the resilience of the Spotted Flycatcher and suggests that where suitable habitat mosaics endure, the species can too.