Blue Tit feeding on suet pellets

In our old garden we once had a winter visit from a Blackcap, though it was actually a female, so it had a reddish-brown cap. It is one of a number of species that is changing it’s behaviour and is expanding its range. They used to breed in UK then migrate to southern Europe. They still do, but birds from western Europe now migrate to the UK for winter as it is easier than their traditional migration into Africa, and because there is a ready supply of food to be had in our garden feeders.

I had been hoping to see one at our new feeders, particularly as my sister has a friend who gets them in her garden, which is only a few streets away. Today, Julia asked me about the identity of a bird she had seen on the feeder. It sounded like a Blackcap, but it also sounded like it could be a Coal Tit (which we have had before). Anyway, when I went through there was nothing to be seen. Eventually a small grey bird showed up and flitted about at the feeders – Coal Tit. From many positions the white nape is highly visible. This one, of course, did its best to keep the white flash hidden. They can be very annoying.

Great Tit on Garden Feeder

However, another black-headed grey bird appeared. It fluttered more than the tits and when it eventually showed itself properly, was definitely a male Blackcap. Normally the Great Tits bully other birds off the feeders, but they were content to perch and wait for the Blackcap, which has a reputation for being robust in defending its feeding space. It also fed extensively from all the feeders, trying fat balls, sunflower seeds and scraps from the ground feeder, where the tits tend to grab a seed, or beakful of fat and make for cover.

Of course, now that this has happened I don’t really have much to aim for. Have we, I wonder, peaked too soon?

Magpie foraging on mossy roof

These are a few of the new bird shots – the blurring of the Magpie (taken yesterday) is from the vertical blinds, which tend to get in the way.