My first goldcrest!

[Madelinew]

Hi - I have joined just so that I can share this with people who may understand. My husband has taken to shaking his head in a 'definitely lost the plot' manner.

I've always had a reasonable amount of birdlife in my garden but, just recently, have spotted a fleeting glance of something I wasn't sure of. At first I thought it might be a wren but wasn't convinced and then thought there was something blue-tittish about it. Today it stayed for a while and I could positively identify it as a goldcrest. My trusty bird book tells me they're pretty common but it's the first I've ever seen and it's the first time this one has ever visited my garden - and I'm moving house next week! Anyway, I was suitably excited and needed to share my moment...

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Madelinew

Hi - I have joined just so that I can share this with people who may understand. My husband has taken to shaking his head in a 'definitely lost the plot' manner.

I've always had a reasonable amount of birdlife in my garden but, just recently, have spotted a fleeting glance of something I wasn't sure of. At first I thought it might be a wren but wasn't convinced and then thought there was something blue-tittish about it. Today it stayed for a while and I could positively identify it as a goldcrest. My trusty bird book tells me they're pretty common but it's the first I've ever seen and it's the first time this one has ever visited my garden - and I'm moving house next week! Anyway, I was suitably excited and needed to share my moment...

Hi Madelinew, welcome to WAB and congratulations... I quite undestand your need to share this with like minded people... the fact that you have seen one and I have yet to is by the by ... you lucky person. Swap that husband for a few hours on WAB and you will be all the happier LOL
jaki

[badgerwatcher]

Hi, MadelineW,
I think it's why lots of people join sites like this, the need to share things like that with someone who doesn't look at you like you're crazy! I know I did.
Congratulations on the goldcrest! I've only ever had the odd glimpse, and they're so beautiful, and so tiny! I hope you see him lots more before you move.
The more you see him, I expect the more you will see others, because you'll know what you're looking for. I get so many 'what was that?' moments, but I do improve with practice!

[Ollie]

Hi Madelinew, firstly a warm welcome to WAB. I can well understand your need to share your first Goldcrest siting with other people. They are such a tiny but busy little bird, always on the move. Positively ID,ing a new species always gives me a buzz. I have seen quite a few and it is one of my aims to get a decent photograph of one. Several times I have had one in the camera view finder only for it to move before pressing the shutter button. One of these days I shall manage it.

I hope you see many more, lets hope your new garden is as productive when you move.
Roger

[DaiTheDragon]

Welcome to the WAB. It's a great feeling when you see a new bird for the first time. I have been trying to get a photograph of one for a few months and today I actually got a decent photograph of a Goldcrest. I hope you will get more visiting your garden.

Dai

[Susie]

Welcome!

Aren't Goldcrests lovely little things?! I can understand why you were so excited to see yours, I always smile when I see the ones that are around my garden too.

I am impressed that you got a photo Dai, they are such fast creatures that I don't even manage to get the camera out of the case before they are out of shot again.

[Newhythebirder]

Welcome and well done!

Goldcrests are fantastic little birds and their populations swell in Autumn and Winter. They have a very distinctive song and call but at a very high pitch that some people find difficult to pick up. Enjoy 'yours' while you can.

Steve

[smartie]

Good to meet you. If you've lost the plot so have we all here. I still get excited every time I identify a bird I haven't managed to put a name to before, however "common" they may be to other people.

[Rainbowmum]

Welcome to WAB
Your excitement is completely understandable. I saw a goldcrest when I was out the other day and managed to get really close with a good view. I was VERY happy. I hadn't seen one for quite some time. But birds in general make me feel like this, even if it's just seeing a blue tit which for me is more common.
Louise xx

[colincurry]

Welcome

Several years ago, I attended a course on birds at Swansea University. At the end of the course, we went around Singleton Park looking for birds and led by our excellent tutor. At one point, he said, "Listen, those are goldcrests". Well, I could neither hear nor see them and I was not as senile then as I am now.

However, about a fortnight ago early one Sunday morning, I saw my first one. It was impossible to photo. I was out with Cordless Dave and he had just discovered that he had lost his car keys on the tow path about two miles away. This rather took precedence. (He did get his keys back). Next time, maybe.

Colin