Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

The Blackcap is a migrant warbler that breeds on the Common during the Spring/Summer period after arriving from its wintering grounds in the Mediterranean and West Africa.  They are a small bird (similar size to a chaffinch) which is mostly grey in colour except for the colour of its cap which is black in males and chestnut brown in females.  The Blackcap has a beautiful fluting warbling song which you can hear at the below link: Blackcap Song

Over recent years there has been an increase in numbers of overwintering Blackcaps in the UK that visit from a different population from Germany and Northeast Europe.  It is entirely possible that you may now encounter one during the Winter months.