Goldcrest

violaceus · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-2012, 07:46 PM

Hi all. I am so elated, today in local park saw my first goldcrest. I watched it for quite some time flitting about very quickly in a elder tree with a bramble bush growing up into it about 20 yards away. The sun was behind me so I got quite a good view. However, I thought these tiny birds left our shores to winter in southern europe. Is it possible they would stay here because of the mild winter ?

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-2012, 08:04 PM

The last few years I've had several overwintering local to me. Along with Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps they're birds which seem to be hanging around a bit more during the cold spells. The mild weather probably would've contributed to this I imagine.

Nige

Naturenutz · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-2012, 08:05 PM

It is normal for goldcrests to overwinter here.We even get firecrests come here to winter from scandanavia i believe

Shrike · #4 (**permalink**) 25-01-2012, 08:23 PM

they normally arrive en masse even before the redwings/fieldfares up here but i thought they were a little late this year
Think goldcrests numbers tend to be swelled in winter from northern european birds

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 26-01-2012, 04:32 AM

Goldcrests have always be rsident supplemented in the autumn by birds from northern Europe. Recent hard spells did reduce the population.

FUDGEY · #6 (**permalink**) 26-01-2012, 05:05 AM

Last year I met up with a lot of new birders/photographers that I met through Flikr and I was very surprised to find most of them had never seen a Goldcrest. Here in SW Scotland they are very common and in almost every conifer plantation. If you get to know there call you will be surprised just how many there are if you live in the right place.