Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleuca
Overview
Pied flycatchers love oak woodland. RSPB Haweswater has a nest box trail. Grizedale too. May is the month. The male is black and white, the female browner. You'll hear the song before you see them.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Habitat | Oak woodland · Mixed woodland · Mature trees |
| Diet | Flying insects. Catches them in the air. |
| UK population | Around 35,000 breeding pairs. Declining. Nest box schemes help. |
| Lake District | RSPB Haweswater and Grizedale are strongholds. Nest box trails make them easy to find. May is the best month. |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Oak woodland. RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Borrowdale. Nest boxes have boosted populations.
Identification
Male black and white. Female brown with white wing patch. Small, active. Flicks tail.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Follow the nest box trails at Haweswater and Grizedale. May and June. Early morning.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.