Red-breasted Flycatcher at Withington ( a species new to Greater Manchester)

On 24th October 1984 I glanced out of my living room window and saw a bird that I knew I had never previously seen. It was feeding in the crevices along the garden path at a distance of about 10 feet and it bore some superficial resemblance to a Robin in its general shape.

The throat was whitish, shading to buff on the breast and there appeared to be a brightness around its prominent eye. it had a brown back and crown and the wings seemed slightly darker at the edges. The most, noticeable feature was, however, undoubtedly the white on the tail, which was seen when the bird constantly flicked its tail.

On consulting my reference books I had no doubt that the bird which I had watched in my garden for about 10 minutes was a Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Lilian Rawlings