Blackcap Warblers have visited my garden every winter for the last 5 years at least. I place apple pieces on exposed branches in clear view of my kitchen so that I can observe and photograph the birds through the glass. In my experience the birds that visit my garden always come to feed on apple pieces exclusively  and not fat balls. In fact, I have not once seen the Blackcaps in my garden, feeding on anything but apple which they seem to seek it out.  This picture was taken "handheld" through the window which is slightly tinted with Pilkington K glass so it's remarkable that  I could get a result.  One of the interesting features of the female Blackcap is the slight hint of peach on the cheek patches which is hardly noticeable until you look really closely.

I really like to travel and in November I visited Sri Lanka for almost two weeks.   Tomorrow my wife and I will be flying to South Africa to stay with her brother  in Cape Town.  We will be away for two weeks.  I will be blogging as often as possible with regular updates of my sightings with as many photos as possible. I have a few things planned already including a Pelagic Trip on the 12 or 13 when I hope to get pictures of Albatross, Petrels and Terns with a good strong chance of Dolphins and even perhaps a Whale.  As well as birds I am hoping to photograph Baboons (a certainty I am told) and small antelope species would be good.