-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
first winter blackcap (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mary
- Start date
Atricapilla
Still Wandering
Mary
Well-known member
Nice one, Bob!
I've always wondered how birds manage to perch so easily in shrubs such as yours, with evil-looking spines! When I prune our pyracantha, I always end up full of holes, but the sparrows use it all the time as a lookout, and dive in when the sparrowhawk is about. It does stop them getting caught, though!
I've always wondered how birds manage to perch so easily in shrubs such as yours, with evil-looking spines! When I prune our pyracantha, I always end up full of holes, but the sparrows use it all the time as a lookout, and dive in when the sparrowhawk is about. It does stop them getting caught, though!
Atricapilla
Still Wandering
I know what you mean Mary,I have just been tidying up the garden and got spiked a few times,everything over here seems to grow thorns,great for the shrikes to put their dinner on though!!
bristolbirder
Well-known member
Had my first Blackcap this week as well Mary, also a male. Also had first Redwing of the winter last week.
Steve
Steve
Mary
Well-known member
Saw my first ever Blackcap in my garden this morning! I wasn't sure what it was at first so I've just had it confirmed by someone who knows more than I do.
Here are a few photos I took of it.
That one looks really at home on the feeder, must have seen one before, perhaps.
Yes, he's been on and off the feeders all day so far today and he keeps chasing off the blue tits.
He's now taken complete control of the sunflower hearts feeder and won't let any other bird on it, even though there's enough perches for four birds to feed at once. Are they normally this aggressive and possessive of feeders?
Last edited:
Mary
Well-known member
I've never had one quite that aggressive, though they can be a bit beligerent I think! There are, unusually, 4 coming at the moment, 2male,2female, so my robin is somewhat overwhelmed- he usually bosses them about. Perhaps he doesn't mind them taking the Leycesteria berries which he doesn't eat. When I get a suet feeder put out in the back garden, it may be a different story!
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
First of the winter in my garden this morning. Much earlier than the last two years.
JWN Andrewes
Poor Judge of Pasta.
Scarce round my way so far this winter, compared to last winter (only lived here just over a year so it's a bit early to see what the norm is). Last winter I would often see up to three from the back door, seldom had to wait more than fifteen minutes or so for an appearance. This winter, since the summer visiting birds became invisible (in July) I've had just two records; one on 16th October, and another on 4th December, both females (and both in the same willow bush, so could easily be the same individual). Interesting to see Mary seems to have more around this winter down in Warks; she must have my missing birds!
James
James
razorsharp
For the Laugh
Saw my first winter blackcap aswell today, it was a male.
Mark Grantham
Well-known member
There do seem to be fewer Blackcaps around this winter, though this could partly be because its mild. The birds might actually be here in good numbers, but just feeding in the wider countryside. If we have a really cold few days, then they might be forced into gardens, hence becoming more visible (and appearing more numerous).
Results from the BirdTrack survey do seem to show fewer birds though (check the bottom graph):
http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s412-20-07.html
Mark Grantham
BTO
Results from the BirdTrack survey do seem to show fewer birds though (check the bottom graph):
http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s412-20-07.html
Mark Grantham
BTO
razorsharp
For the Laugh
Had my first on saturday!
Mary
Well-known member
Just out of interest, what have they been seen eating? In my garden, they take berries other birds rarely touch - Leycesteria and Honeysuckle, and like the blue tits they will eat the Mahonia flowers. 'Artificially ' provided foods include suet pellets, suet cake, sultanas and apple. Anyone noticed any others?
The Raptor
Bristol City's No.1 Fan!
Hello Mary, I have only just caught up with this thread. I have attach a photo of a male Blackcap that visited my garden on the first of this month, it hung around for awhile that day feeding on fatballs, not been seen since. A female stayed around for a couple of weeks this time of the year two years ago.
ROD.
ROD.
Attachments
That is a super photo Rod, wish I could get one as good as that.
Mary, We had a male arrive yesterday. He is feeding in the same hedge that they (4 of them!) favoured last year. It is a mixture of cotoneaster, honeysuckle and another plant I don't know the name of.
Two years ago we had one that loved the CJs peanut cake, but last year and this they are finding enough natural food and don't show any interest in mine!
Mary, We had a male arrive yesterday. He is feeding in the same hedge that they (4 of them!) favoured last year. It is a mixture of cotoneaster, honeysuckle and another plant I don't know the name of.
Two years ago we had one that loved the CJs peanut cake, but last year and this they are finding enough natural food and don't show any interest in mine!
