Fred Cottaar (2025) Spring migration of Eurasian Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla through the dunes of Kennemerduinen in 2017-20. LIMOSA 98 (1): 42-46.

At the ringing station in the Dutch dunes of Kennemerduinen, a total of 741 Blackcaps were caught in March, April and May 2017-20 (725 unringed birds and 16 recoveries). Catches were dominated by females (41% were males and 59% were females). As Blackcaps breed only in very low numbers in the study area, the catches predominantly comprise of migrating birds. Passage of Blackcaps peaked in the second decade of April, which is earlier compared to previous studies elsewhere. No differences in the timing of migration of males and females was found. Only 10 individuals were recaptured within the same season (mean staging time for these birds was 9.6 days), indicating that the study site is not a favourable stopover area. One individual was controlled one year later, suggesting migration route fidelity. One control from a bird ringed in Belgium and two controls from birds ringed in the UK suggest that the population consists of a mix between birds wintering in Southern Europe and birds wintering in the UK.

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