Even in my short time living here in Wales, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of Blackcaps spending the winter in our parks and gardens rather than making the relatively long flight to the south of the Iberian peninsula and northern parts of Africa.

This change in migratory behaviour is, no doubt, due in part to the changing climate, the warmer temperatures meaning locally bred birds can find enough food to survive, particularly in south-western Britain. As an article on the Bird Guides website points out, ‘since the end of the Second World War we have been creating a winter feast for Blackcaps by planting berry bushes in our parks and gardens and keeping our bird tables well stocked’.

Scientific research and ringing recoveries have also shown that many of the Blackcaps found in Britain in winter hail from parts of central Europe. (The BTO website has a pdf with a map showing the various directions of Blackcap migration and movement, to and from Britain, Europe and North Africa, and within Europe itself.)

In my local area I know of more than five Blackcaps that are spending the winter hereabouts, three of which I’ve seen and photographed (the first on 9 January, the second on the 19th and the third, the female, on the 30th) and two others that I’ve heard making their characteristic ticking sound but that I didn’t actually manage to locate in dense vegetation. I’m already looking forward to seeing more of these birds when those that did migrate further south return to our shores in the spring.