Is this a flycatcher?

[jo90]

I have a pair of birds nesting in the garden on a wall amoungst the ivy. They are the size of a sparrow, but darkish brown on the top and light bown underneath. They have quite long beaks and sit on the top of the bean poles catching insects. They can hover for many seconds before they strike. Their wings are crossed like swallows. Not being a twitcher can someone help identify. Some friends told me they could be flycatchers, but all the photos I've seen of them on the net show the birds with black crowns. Any suggestions please?

[Thunderbird+]

Your discription, looks like spotted fly catchers, I'm sure someone will come up with some good pic's soon.

[jo90]

Thanks for that, but if it's called a spotted flycatcher,why isn't it spotted?

[Thunderbird+]

I seem to recall asking the same question when I first spotted one (no pun intended), to be honest I dont know, I think there are some tiny spots if viewed up really close or maybe it just distinguishes it from other fly catchers. I'm grasping now someone pleas bare me out!

[jo90]

I've just been on the RSPB web site and I'm sure you're right - it is a spotted one. Thank you so much Thunderbird for putting me out of my misery!

[spudqueen]

It is only the young that are spotted, maybe you will manage to catch sight of them when they fledge.