Month: June 2024

Blackcap{Juvenile.}

/ Andy Finnegan / 5 Comments

This morning I returned to the area where we spotted adult Blackcaps who were collecting insects last week. I guessed they must be feeding chicks. I was right and spotted at least 3 fledgeling on today’s visit. Young blackcaps are similar to adult female birds even sporting the same brown cap. Identifying a young blackcap from an early age can be done by looking out for their cap alone. By late winter, young males will display dark brown-black caps, and by the following spring are in full adult plumage.

Warsash.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

As we approach the 80th anniversary of D-Day I visited the village of Warsash on the River Hamble. Today Naval vessels and Landing Craft have been replaced by pleasure boats.

Bullfinch.

/ Andy Finnegan / 5 Comments

Regular visitors to my mum’s garden are two pairs of Bullfinches. Male Bullfinches have a bright pink-red breast and cheeks, a black cap and grey wings. Females have a much duller grey-pink breast. Both sexes have a white rump that is visible in flight Bullfinches have a short, powerful-looking beak.

Blackcap.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

The Blackcap is a greyish warbler. It gets its common name from its black cap. The female’s cap is chestnut brown. Although primarily a summer visiting bird from Germany and north-east Europe. Blackcaps are increasingly spending the winter in the UK. It was unusual to see this woodland bird over water. He was catching small invertebrates from the Lilly flowers on a local pond.