First Blackcap

[jamesthornton]

Just spotted this guy this morning about 8:10. Is this the right time for them to arrive?

[faz]

Blackcaps are predominantly summer visitors now is the right time to see them there are an increasing number over-wintering in Britain, but many of these are birds that bred in northern or central Europe, e.g. Scandinavia and Germany. The increase in the numbers wintering here may be a result of milder winters, but also the relative abundance of food in the UK, i.e. berries and bird feeders. The UK wintering population steals an advantage over those that still choose to winter in Iberia and Africa, by getting back to their breeding grounds sooner and having used less energy to get there.

i have had 4 pairs all winter where i live lovley little birds

[jamesthornton]

Thanks for that faz.

I've never seen one before let alone an over-wintering one so this was a nice surprise. I got woke up by something at about 7:30 and just looked outside and thought..that's a blackcap!

[aeshna5]

I had 25 Blackcaps (23 singing males + 2 females) on my patch walk in Yeading/Northolt/Greenford area this morning. They must all be in judging by the density singing birds. Slightly fewer Chiffchaffs + 2 weakly singing Willow Warblers.