Blackcap now on the map

With spring on its way, we are expecting a big influx of Blackcaps into the country over the next few weeks. This is clearly shown by the reporting rate of complete lists on Birdtrack (below).

During the winter there is a steady baseline reporting rate of birds that ringing recoveries show have mostly arrived in the UK from the near continent. One such bird was caught by ringer Alan Woodcock at Snodland, Kent on 30 December 2012, and was wearing a ring from the Czech Republic. This male bird was ringed on 9 September 2011 at Chotec, 49'59N 14'17E (red dot on Blackcap recoveries map below). Alan caught this bird again on 21 February 2013, and again on 14 March 2013 and noted that the weight did fluctuate from 18.3g at the first catching, to 19.1g and finally 18.6g.

This is the third record of a Czech Republic ringed bird in the UK or Ireland and, as you can see from the map, it is quite far east for one of our usual Blackcap recoveries.

Czech Republic ringed Blackcap - Alan Woodcock

Thanks to Alan for the photo and letting us know.