Blackcaps

Female Blackcap

Male Blackcap

I have been astounded by the numbers of blackcaps this year, even in suburban gardens and hedgerows; every scrap of woodland seems to have at least one male belting out his cheery warble. They often quite bold and approachable and, in good light, their beautiful silvery plumage and glossy black caps make them unmistakable. If you can only hear the singing bird they're easily confused with the closely related garden warbler whose song is similar but more continuous, faster, quieter and, to me, slightly more raspy. I was lucky enough to hear both species singing in a wood at the same time a few days ago so could compare them.