We have had Blackcaps in the garden off and on for a few weeks now. These are birds wintering here from Germany.  This is fascinating, knowing  that they have chosen, over the last few years, to  winter here in the UK, (mostly the South) and South West, rather than  travel on to North Africa and Spain.  This morning the sun was shining brightly and the sky was a cloudless blue. I immediately put my camera out ready to photograph any birds visiting.  I was thrilled when just after 9 I saw  this lovely Blackcap male feeding on the apple pieces placed especially for them. I made a comment to Jenny that I love it when I plan something and it comes off.  I have taken better pictures of Blackcaps in the garden previously but this is the best for a couple of years. It is said that Blackcaps love fat balls and they do but in my experience, as my photographs prove, they absolutely adore a slightly soft apple which they will come back to over and over again during the day. Place the apple slices  in the bushes so that they can feed safely without having to come too far out in to the open. 

While I waited I also took these photos of our other garden regulars.  The first is a female Chaffinch, followed by a great male Dunnock and, of course,  a Blue Tit. The Blog has visitors from all around the world and some will not be familiar with the UK's common garden species, so excuse me for naming these very common UK birds.