Tuesday 5 April 2011

Blackcap






All photo`s digiscoped using Canon Powershot A640 and Kowa TSN-883 x30


This male Blackcap was perched in the open on one of my visits to Maxey GP on Saturday morning. He was heard singing, but when the camera went on him he seemed to go quiet.

The Blackcap is another visitor to our shores during the summer months, although they are increasingly over-wintering in Britain, especially in the south of the country.

They are slightly smaller than a House Sparrow, but one of the larger warblers. The male (shown in the photo`s) has grey-brown upperparts, grey underparts and a black crown and forehead which extends to the level of the eye. The female is browner with a brown cap. First winter birds are like a duller version of the female.

Blackcaps are widely distributed throughout the British Isles and tend to be found in deciduous or mixed woodland, copses, thickets and also in mature gardens and parks. There are over 590,000 territories in the U.K., a number that has increased since the late 1970`s as the species has moved northwards.

12 comments:

  1. That is quality digiscoping, John! Excellent work with a very difficult subject.

    Mike W

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  2. Thanks Mike,
    That is a true compliment coming from you!
    J

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  3. Wow. Brilliant shots John.

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  4. I reckon this chap would be quite easy to recognise. I think I have seen the female. By the way, I love the quote from Chief Seattle in your side-bar.
    Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  5. Hi John,
    You are an amazingly talented photographer and those photos of the Blackcaps are superb. Thanks for this and your usual fascinating accompanying info.
    Have a most pleasant week.
    Gary

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  6. Beautiful clear shots of a bird I have yet to see.

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  7. Hi bazza,
    Yes they are quite distinctive! They are given away by their beautiful song (go to the RSPB website and you can hear it). The quote sort of sums up everything I believe, it was said 150 years ago and we still haven`t listened!
    J

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  8. Hi Gary,
    You really are too kind! It is the subject that makes the photo`s!
    I hope you have a good week too,
    J

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  9. Hi John,
    Thankyou. I am sure you will catch up with one soon!
    J

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  10. I take my hat of to you John,outstanding piece of Digiscoping.
    Top Guy.

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  11. Thank you John, you are too kind.
    J

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