Pied Flycatcher, male. Padley Gorge, Derbyshire Peak District. DSC_9423.jpg
I'd been watching two male birds that were showing interest in a nest box near to the footpath for a few minutes and the situation was clearly getting heated: the bird that had been visiting and entering the box regularly chasing the other bird, though the latter persisted in hanging around, also exploring holes in an adjacent dead tree and displaying.
After a brief fight, the two birds continued to play cat and mouse, with the bird 'in possession' of the box, keeping a close eye on his adversary. This also involved number of forays to the ground close to where the latter perched, briefly flitting between vantage points, before returning to the trees, snatching the odd flying insect in the process. Here, I have caught him during one of these terrestrial forays.
Thank you for your faves and comments.
Pied Flycatcher, male. Padley Gorge, Derbyshire Peak District. DSC_9423.jpg
I'd been watching two male birds that were showing interest in a nest box near to the footpath for a few minutes and the situation was clearly getting heated: the bird that had been visiting and entering the box regularly chasing the other bird, though the latter persisted in hanging around, also exploring holes in an adjacent dead tree and displaying.
After a brief fight, the two birds continued to play cat and mouse, with the bird 'in possession' of the box, keeping a close eye on his adversary. This also involved number of forays to the ground close to where the latter perched, briefly flitting between vantage points, before returning to the trees, snatching the odd flying insect in the process. Here, I have caught him during one of these terrestrial forays.
Thank you for your faves and comments.