I placed apple around my bird table this morning, just on the off chance that we may have a returning “German” Blackcap in the garden, in previous years we had had them in  this week of the year. I checked from the kitchen window just minutes ago and there was a female, the first of the year feeding on the fresh apple slice. Exciting news, I have the camera set up for the first photo of te season, check back later.

Further to the post at 1400hrs, I managed to get a good shot as it came back to feed on the apple  just 2 hours later. This bird is here one day earlier  than last year, that bird was also a female, but then we also had a male, (or  males) in the garden as well.  They were here  in the garden until at least March this year. The interesting thing is this, could it possibly be the same individul bird?  I would think that this is a high possibility,  but of course, I will never know.  If only it hadn’t been almost impossible to jump through the flaming hoops which would have enabled me to get a ringers licence. I would have then been able to know.

Looking back at this week’s photographs and opportunities, it’s been a bit special. Snow Buntings, Great White Egrets, Goosanders and now the Blackcaps are back. Reminds me that Autumn and winter are good seasons for wildlife here in Devon.