blackcap

Sylvia atricapilla

• The male of this widespread species has a distinctive black ‘cap’ on his head
   
• The female’s cap is rusty coloured
   
• Both have grey and brown plumage

The varied, warbling song is one of the best birdsongs of summer.
 

Where found

Blackcaps are hard to spot, flitting about in undergrowth in woodland, parks and gardens.
 

When to look for

Blackcaps first start arriving in the UK around the beginning of March. If you see one during the winter, please enter your sighting by ticking the 'recorded all winter' box on your online form.

• A summer visitor from March or April
   
• Increasingly overwintering in southern counties