Berries: breakfast of migrants

At this time of year, thousands of birds are making their way southwards through the UK. The skies aren't darkened by vast flocks, though; in most cases, it's more subtle than that. All over the country, small birds are scuttling through hedges, hopping from tree to tree and flying along rivers, streams and ditches.

You don't have to visit a migration watchpoint or even one of our nature reserves to see this happening. I saw a bit of migration preparation while I was doing the washing-up this morning.

In the garden was a blackcap dining upon honeysuckle berries. Just in time for hungry birds, the plant has produced clusters of gleaming, translucent red berries, and the blackcap (or rather, browncap - it was either a female or young bird) did not hesitate to gobble them up.

For migrating warblers, berries are just what's needed. Migrants try their hardest to pile on the pounds (well, the grams) and boost their chances of getting to Africa. The bird I saw could be heading for the south coast as I type this and will soon be crossing the Channel, bound for the Iberian peninsula or north Africa. Alternatively, it might not be going far at all - growing numbers of UK blackcaps are staying here for winter.

Wherever it's going, migration is something that never ceases to amaze me...