Coming Soon

Only a few weeks to go before birdsong signals the arrival of summer migrants. Blacka's philomel, the star singer, is the blackcap, a small bird occasionally seen but more often heard because it loves to sing from inside the leafy greenery of birch and rowan. Those who sing on Blacka have come from spending winter in the far south.



Meanwhile throughout the winter my own garden has enjoyed the presence of two blackcaps, male and female. Birders tell us that this is becoming more common and that these are visitors from Europe who've spent their summer on the continent but have cannily worked out that flying to Africa is a mug's game when the mild climate and well stocked bird tables in England can be had for less effort. We assume this fellow will be off back to Europe soon. I somehow doubt it will be staying here and the sight of a blue tit with nesting material yesterday may prompt a move.