Blackcap (1 Viewer)

[Ruby]

Hi All,

JUst a quick note to say that 'my' flock of Blackcaps has now grown to at least 5 - 3 males and 2 females.

Which is obviously great, but just a couple of grounds for concern...

1. Despite my best efforts to tempt them with all sorts of Blackcap-friendly goodies, they persist in just eating my Cordyline flowers.

2. This is bad enough, but made worse by the fact that they have succeeded in teaching other birds that these are good to eat. The resident Robin started in on them last week, and now the Starlings have discovered them too.

The flowers are already looking a bit sparse, and I'm concerned that when they're finished the Blackcaps will move on too.

Oh dear, oh dear - tense times in Surrey!!

 

[Adey Baker]

No problem, Ruby, just plant an avenue of Cordylines!

 

[Andy Bright]

Give the hanging apples a try, Ruby. You can 'skewer' them with some wire and hang them on a branch... put half a dozen or so out close to cover, as Michael said earlier, get them started by breaking a bit of the skin of the apple.

 

[Ruby]

No problem, Ruby, just plant an avenue of Cordylines!

Hi Adey - now there's a thought...... only snag is, the ones that they're eating now were sown back in 1987, so they take a while to become eaters!!

Give the hanging apples a try, Ruby. You can 'skewer' them with some wire and hang them on a branch... put half a dozen or so out close to cover, as Michael said earlier, get them started by breaking a bit of the skin of the apple.

That sounds like a plan Andy. Following earlier advice, I did hang one out down amongst the shrubs. I might take matters a bit further and hang a couple up IN the Cordyline. Might feed the Starlings if nothing else....


Rgds... Ruby

 

[Ruby]

Phew! The pressure's off...

I've moved my hanging apples around a bit and the new positions are obviously more to the birds' liking. The Blue Tits seem to like eating them just as much as the Blackcaps....

 

[helenol]

I have just seen the first sighting in my garden of a blackcap for this winter. A female. No doubt the others will follow on, if last winter is anything to go by.

 

[Ruby]

HI Helen,

That sounds good - did they stay with you all winter??

 

[helenol]

Yes they did, although last year they arrived a few weeks earlier and stayed until end Feb/Mar.

 

[SimonC]

I've recently moved to a house with a postage stamp for a garden, so I'm real jealous!!
Never mind, I'll get over it

Helen: your avatar, is it cropped to that composition, or is that the whole shot?
i really like it!

Simon

 

[helenol]

It has been cropped. Unfortunately that's all I could get at the time, as I kept having to jump into the middle of the road to try and get a pic. The drivers didn't appreciate it! This kite was one of about 7 or 8 flying around at the time.

 

[SimonC]

It has been cropped. Unfortunately that's all I could get at the time, as I kept having to jump into the middle of the road to try and get a pic. The drivers didn't appreciate it! This kite was one of about 7 or 8 flying around at the time.

It's a candidate for Photoshop's Lens flare filter in the top right corner isn't it?!


Simon

 

[helenol]

yes, yes, yes, I know! I have just bought PS Elements a few weeks ago, so am still finding my way around it. Just wait until I can use it like a pro!!

Anyway, I prefer the "natural looking photo"
(well, that's my excuse)

 

[SimonC]

yes, yes, yes, I know! I have just bought PS Elements a few weeks ago, so am still finding my way around it. Just wait until I can use it like a pro!!

Anyway, I prefer the "natural looking photo"
(well, that's my excuse)

You mis-understand i think? the filter I'm talking about would add the flare (you know, like you always used to see in the old western films ) I think it would look good (I'm always trying to get it naturally - shooting into the sun - small aperture - but it never works out!)
It is a very good photo, & if i can get anything like it when I go out that way, I'll be more than happy!!

Simon

 

[helenol]

Oops, sorry Simon, I guess I did misunderstand.

 

[Pops_uk]

snip ...If I were a Blackcap, I'd prefer to fly Northwards and avoid the mist nets, limesticks and guns of Southern Europe.
snip

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2288477.stm

And the Welsh link on the same page is just as bad
Glyn

 

[jada dulo]

Yeah , I was at my Dad's on Sunday ( 7th Dec. ) and I was watching two ( 1M & 1F ) Blackcap flitting around a holly bush in his garden ... brilliant sight , plus , we have a Chiffchaff @ my local patch which seems to be staying for the winter ... excellent !

 

[jada dulo]

.... And just to continue , I was at my sister-in-laws yesterday and a male Blackcap was busy flitting around the hedge surrounding her garden amongst a small group of House Sparrows .

 

[helenol]

Jada, sounds like the blackcaps are busy in your area! Great stuff.

 

[jada dulo]

Yes I agree with you totally Helen , I dont think I saw this many Blackcaps in one week in summer !!!! But seeing the Chiffchaff at Venus Pool most days is great ... reminds me of summer ! .

 

[Padraig]

Interesting thread Ruby.
I hadn't realised that the wintering blackcaps come from Southern, as opposed to Northern, Europe.

I too was amazed to see one eating an apple on our tree. I like to leave the apples up for the blackbirds but was fascinated to see this insect-eater pecking away. It was a female.

Regards,

Padraig. :flowers: