Black cap

[Kayleigh]

For the last few days we have had a female Black cap on the Honeysuckle. Eating the berries. We had one last year but she didn't stay around. Maybe its the same bird. I did the RSPB garden bird watch. There were very few birds to report on, then we had the snow. Now we have lots... Will this give false results as the birds are there but didn't show.

Blackcap 0 now 1
Blackbirds 1 now 5
Thrush 0 now 1
Bluetits 0 now 2
Starlings 1 now 40 +
Greenfinches 0 now 5
Chaffinches 0 now 6
It goes to show how much the bird rely on us for food and water when the ground is covered in snow or is frozen.

[Susie]

You lucky thing, blackcaps have such a lovely song.

Blackcaps love to eat apples, if you hang some up or spike them on tree branches she may stick around for a while after the honeysuckle berries have gone.

[badgerwatcher]

They are such lovely, delicate, graceful birds, aren't they, Kayleigh? I've had a pair around for a while now. The female only eats from the fat blocks, the male prefers the holly berries. Maybe if you keep up the food, as Susie says, she will stick around. I must try the apple trick, Susie. I tend to give apples to the Badgers, but I could always put them out for the birds first.

[Susie]

Blackcaps are nice, but I think I would stick with the Badgers!

Pea-green with envy,

Susie xx

[Kayleigh]

Yes she is sutch a sweet little bird. I tend to plant things if I know it will attract wildlife. We have two small hollys. Lots of pyracanthas and a cotoneaster. The truble is we have just rescued a springer who loves chasing the birds. lol
I will put apples out the Blackbirds will like them as well. I planted a dwarf apple tree last year, can't wait to sample the apples though I think it will be a while yet.

[badgerwatcher]

Crab apples are good too. We got lots of Jays eating ours last year.
I thought, Badgers for night time entertainment, blackcaps for daytime, Susie!

[wyevilla]

Don't forget to let your ivy flower and form berries. Our male blackcap loves to eat these when they are ripe (jet black) - swallowing them whole. He also takes apple from the lawn.

[Susie]

Ivy flowers are a great late nectar source for insects too.

[overgrownbramble]

Snap Badgerwatcher, dietary preferences between the sexes!

Last year I had one female who guarded ferociously the fat filled coconuts, but she went away in spring. This year I've seen a female once or twice, but if it's the same one she hasn't hung around and isn't interested in any seeds.... However, last year a male appeared once or twice but didn't stay, but this year I've got a handsome male trying to defend the high energy mix from all comers, and not bothered at all about the suet or fat-coconuts. Sadly though the sparrows have now found the feeders that side of the hedge, so the other birds will probably disappear again