Feisty winter visitors arriving in greater
numbers than ever before
January 2013. Thousands of Blackcaps, migrant warblers from central Europe, are
ruffling feathers in British and Irish gardens. Latest sightings gathered
through the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden Blackcap Survey are
exploring the behaviour of these increasingly spotted ‘angry birds'.
This January, householders are helping the BTO
to find out about real ‘angry birds' in gardens - Blackcaps. Incoming reports,
submitted through the charity's Garden Blackcap Survey, show how this species
is often a volatile guest, seeing off blue tits, Goldfinches and other similar-sized
birds from garden feeding stations.
What birds will face down the blackcaps?
So far, the only birds to have weathered the frosty reception that is dished out by Blackcaps with much success have been Robins and House sparrows. Robins are known for their feistiness and so it is unsurprising that they are unwilling to give an inch without a fight. House Sparrows, on the other hand, flock together and are generally faithful to a local patch, and so are well placed to out-compete this new kid on the block.
So far, the only birds to have weathered the frosty reception that is dished out by Blackcaps with much success have been Robins and House sparrows. Robins are known for their feistiness and so it is unsurprising that they are unwilling to give an inch without a fight. House Sparrows, on the other hand, flock together and are generally faithful to a local patch, and so are well placed to out-compete this new kid on the block.
Blackcaps (green) leave Britain in the autumn to
winter around the Mediterranean, returning in spring (cream). A few birds
(orange) pass through on migration. Some birds (yellow) now winter in Britain
and Ireland - these are the ones we are looking to study through the Garden
Blackcap Survey.
Large increase in blackcap numbers
Behind these fascinating observations is important science. Food provided in British and Irish gardens is thought to be altering the migratory habits of Blackcaps that breed in central Europe. Normally these birds would spend the winter around the Mediterranean but our garden offerings, coupled with our warming winter climate, are enabling an alternative migration route to our shores to grow in strength. Over the past few decades, numbers coming to feeders have increased by several hundred per cent.
Behind these fascinating observations is important science. Food provided in British and Irish gardens is thought to be altering the migratory habits of Blackcaps that breed in central Europe. Normally these birds would spend the winter around the Mediterranean but our garden offerings, coupled with our warming winter climate, are enabling an alternative migration route to our shores to grow in strength. Over the past few decades, numbers coming to feeders have increased by several hundred per cent.
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