Today was absolutely fascinating because at around 1045 I was called by my wife from the kitchen to be  asked if I had seen Blackcaps in the garden this year. She had seen one very close to the kitchen and  then brought it to my attention. I was very pleased that they have returned to my garden yet again. But, even more amazing is that it was exactly this day last year, the 28th November when they had first been observed last year. Can you believe that, where were they before and how can they be so regular in their migratory patterns?  Their story is very fascinating and you can read about it here which is an extract from an entry from the corresponding weekend in 2008 .

 "I have learnt so much about Blackcap warblers this last 48 hours. Their presence here in the UK, in the winter has always fascinated me and when ever I am lucky enough to see them in my garden it is always a particular treat. Friday was the first sighting this winter and I was seeing them up until about March before they left. It turns out there is lots going on with this species that is simply fascinating. The winter population here in the South West is made up of German and Scandinavian birds who instead of migrating to Spain and North Africa, like some of their fellows, and the UK summer birds, choose to migrate a more northerly course. This first came to light in 1961 when a bird wearing a ring was caught by a cat and the ring traced to a breeding study in Austria. This led to further, more detailed investigation which proved that a proportion of the Austrian/German Blackcaps were choosing to winter in Southern Ireland and the South West of Britain. Further studies have shown that the English wintering birds are genetically programmed to migrate here. Migrating this shorter distance is of real benefit to UK wintering Blackcaps because they arrive back on their breeding grounds some 7 to 10 days earlier than their more adventurous "southern wintering" counterparts thereby gaining two advantages. Firstly they have the pick of the best nesting sights and habitat. Research has shown that this leads to better and more successful breeding and secondly females arrive back having expended less energy and fat resources. This leads to a larger more successful clutch of eggs and a higher success rate. The outcome is that the UK wintering population is growing and out-doing the Southern migrating birds. Today I caught sight of both male and female Blackcaps quite early on and took some pictures from the bathroom before hurrying down to the shed to wait it out to try and get a good shot of a male. It didn't take more than 20 minutes or so." 

Here is a link to my Blackcap gallery of the best shots from last year. Have a look, you will not be disappointed I am sure of that.

So the fun begins. Winter bird photography in the garden is going to be very rewarding for the next 4 months if last year is anything to go by. I am going to get some great Blackcap photos and that is a promise!  So far, I have not seen the new visitors properly apart from a very quick glimpse. However, I have heard them/it  calling  and the garden is baited with apple, dried fruit and a fat ball. This is all food that these  birds enjoyed last year. The apple is a particular favorite  and is good because you can see how much has been taken and this gives you a gauge of the birds presence if you have not been around to watch.

I plan to make a short HD quality video of them in my garden over the coming months and this will be available commercially in the coming months……….. watch this space.