This morning I had my first blackcap in the garden. A solitary male, all fluffy and sweet. I was gobsmacked really because only yesterday I was telling someone on another thread that I had never seen a blackcap before. Now I have, and in my own garden! I was very excited about it, and hope he comes back.
Cheers, Linda.
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Oh well done Sparrow - you lucky thing. Your wish came true! Hope he comes back.
Regards
Kerry
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Great news Sparrow. Hopefully he will return when you are more ready then you will be able to get some photos.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi Sparrow,
I think it was me that you were telling that you hadn't seen a blackcap. So pleased you've had one in your garden. They are sweet little birds aren't they? Hopefully it will entice a female into your garden too. She will look the same except that her cap will be chestnut brown. Fingers crossed.
There is something new to learn everyday...
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Hi Sarum Bat,
It was the lovely photo of a blackcap in your garden that you posted a couple of days ago that brought blackcaps to my attention, and was how I immediately recognised the one in my garden this morning. Had it not been for your photo I would never have known what he was, so many thanks for the photo. I do hope he brings Mrs. Blackcap. First thing in the morning I am going out to put some mealworms in the flower tubs and near the feeders, and fingers crossed the starlings don't see me!!!!
So pleased my photo helped you recognise the blackcap. I have a small bush in my garden covered in purple berries . It is a Callicarpa and 'my' blackcap is currently stripping off all the berries. I am pleased he has been having gourmet meals but the bush is now looking very scruffy and bare!
My blackcap was sitting watching in a Pieris shrub that grows in a container ... no berries but evergreen and excellent low cover for the ground feeders. Do you think a blackcap would use a high up bird feeder or table, or do they prefer the ground and bushes?
Blackcaps seem to favour bushes for cover and fly from one to the next trying to stay out of sight.
As I mentioned earlier they eat small berries from the bush if available. They will also feed from seed feeders but don't like being out in the open so it is best if the feeder is sighted near some cover. Last year ours were very partial to a fat block containing insects and seeds that I hung in a lilac tree.
Hope this helps.
Thanks SB. I will try hanging some appropriate food in or near cover. I already have a special sparrows corner for my house sparrows, with a globe feeder in the leylandii, which they love.
I don't think it needs to be dense cover, just a handy tree or bush to hop into so they feel safe.
Good luck, hope it comes back.