Returning in 'decent' numbers so far this year are our locally scarce Pied Flycatchers, with only a hand full of breeding pairs left in Gwent. I typically pick them up on spring / winter passage at places like Llandegfedd Reservoir, along rivers, canals and streams. Water does seem to attract them, most likely due to the large hatches of flies and insects also attracted to water. They aren't always associated with water though with some taking to woodland surrounding farmland - lots of cattle, lots of flies, therefor a good substitute. Most importantly for Pied Flycatchers however are our broadleaf woodland, preferably ancient woodland as they need generations of woodpecker holes and naturally formed holes in trees for which they like to nest in. Ancient woodland should be a continuing, never ending life cycle that should always be there, forever having tree's slightly younger to grow old and take their place, continuing to provide for nature and the planet. I see birds like Pied Flycatchers as indicators of a healthy woodland and there is much we could learn about our broadleaf woodland, just by studying Pied Flycatcher distributions.

Male Pied Flycatcher, still waiting for a female