Black Caps

[Ricco]

We have had a male black cap hanging about for days, using the feeders in the garden. Mostly goes for the fat block. No sign of a female, though. Wondered if anyone else has experienced similar or has an idea why there is no female.

[Pterodroma]

Ricco

Blackcap is a nice bird to have in the gaarden in Caithness in winter.

Every year there are a few about in the County but they are never what one would call common. Interestingly, in winter Blackcap are much commoner in gardens (particularly those with feeders) than in the wooded habitat where they breed.

Why no female? This is because the winter and breeding birds come from different populations. Vitually all the British breeding Blackcaps leave in the autumn and winter in southern Iberia and northwest Africa. The birds that we get in the winter come from the breeding population in west-central Europe, probably the Low Countries and Germany. So the winter birds do not pair up here because they have no intention of breeding here.

Hope that helps.

Pterodroma

[Ricco]

Ricco

Blackcap is a nice bird to have in the gaarden in Caithness in winter.

Every year there are a few about in the County but they are never what one would call common. Interestingly, in winter Blackcap are much commoner in gardens (particularly those with feeders) than in the wooded habitat where they breed.

Why no female? This is because the winter and breeding birds come from different populations. Vitually all the British breeding Blackcaps leave in the autumn and winter in southern Iberia and northwest Africa. The birds that we get in the winter come from the breeding population in west-central Europe, probably the Low Countries and Germany. So the winter birds do not pair up here because they have no intention of breeding here.

Hope that helps.

Pterodroma

Brilliant! Thanks, Pterodroma. That helps immensely.

[Ricco]

Wow! Blackcap and now a Goldcrest. Same feeder too. Sneaky shot through the conservatory window - had to crawl across the floor though and then sit crouched under the table.