From tropical Africa to temperate South Devon
The Pied Flycatchers have landed. They’ve made it back from tropical Africa to a small wooded valley in South Devon. They are specialists of old woodland which has just the right kind of insect food and nesting possibilities.
![Pied Flycatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pied-FLycatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-6-725x484.jpg)
There aren’t enough old trees with holes in for their nests to support the population here. It’s the limiting factor, so a range of luxury wooden flats have been built and attached to likely trees.
The male Pied Flycatchers arrive here first so they can grab a nest site and defend it in advance of the arrival of choosy females.
![Pied Flycatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pied-FLycatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-3-725x484.jpg)
This one was inspecting nest box 429. I was enjoying watching him and listening to his song from the treetops when he spotted a rival and was off on a chase.
![Pied Flycatcher - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pied-FLycatcher-The-Hall-of-Einar-8-725x483.jpg)
I wish him well.