Goldcrest

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Following the sparrowhawk thread - I had a lovely encounter with a goldcrest yesterday. I see them fossicking in the undergrowth now and again, but this was ay head height in an apple tree, picking off insects, less than 1m from me. I had a lovely view. So tiny! Not much larger than a walnut. I was watching him for several minutes, till he moved into a further tree.

When I came back that way, no sign of the goldcrest, but there was a robin, who looked HUGE by comparison.

We had a pair nesting in our much-unloved conifer (but it's a haven for all kinds of birds) - this was in April 2021 - they are extremely hard to photograph - by the time you've found them through the camera they move before the camera can focus! Great little characters.

How lovely!

We often sit and watch a tree creeper doing its thing on some beech trees. It's very soothing watching birds.

@larkstar isn't that a firecrest in your pic?

No, a Firecrest has a black line through the eye and a white stripe above it.

I don't think that's a goldcrest in the above photo either. I've looked it up and it's a fire crest apparently.

I have rarely seen a goldcrest in my garden. A really wonderful little thing...

Very interesting thanks
Found this site which shows the differences .

https://birdfact.com/articles/goldcrest-or-firecrest

Has anyone else seen a jaycorn?

Never even heard of one (and nor has google).

A what? In the UK?

Plenty of Jays. Never heard of a jaycorn

We have goldcrests in the garden. Regular visitors around the pond. Also loads of nuthatches this year for some reason

This?

That’s a Jay

We have lots of jays (live in woodlands) and a pair come close to the house every morning

He’ll be burying that acorn in your lawn and making a right mess digging it up in the winter

I love birds, lived in our new build for 5 years and the only birds to visit were a family of wagtails.

Now in a 100 year old house with a huge garden and trees all around. We have a silver birch, two huge cypress and a massive wild cherry. Next door have 5 or 6 very large mature apple trees and the other side have huge leylandi bushes (well kept, neat, going across the garden) and so far I've seen a lot of crows lol. I can hear starlings which are one of my favourite birds. Looking forward to spring.

It and the pesky grey squirrels! I've found quite a few sprouting in my front lawn and in my raised bed at the back where I grow a few vegetables.

Is that you Adam Buxton?

How lovely whatever it is. I’ve just bought ds a window bird feeder and got tiny tits visiting this morning, driving the poor cat demented. Ds has asked for another feeder for the living room window too as he’s so thrilled to see the birds close up.

I’ve just thrown out my tomato plants and found several hazelnuts and peanuts. So glad the cats didn’t notice. Cat chasing squirrel round greenhouse would have caused major havoc

I get loads of goldfinches but do see the occasional goldcrest. They're so active and will forage very close to you. I watched a coaltit taking sunflower seeds to cache. I wish I could explain to them I'll be keeping the feeders full over winter. I think jays are responsible for the oak seedlings that pop up in the garden. My absolute favourite are the long tailed tits, like little birdy cake pops.

My absolute favourite are the long tailed tits, like little birdy cake pops. Yes, and the way they chirrup happily together. Even nicer when you’re in the middle of a flock

Yesterday when I was cutting the hedge I realised a bird had landed on the back of my neck - I could feel its wings against my neck. I assume it was the robin, who has shown little fear of humans ever since it was a baby earlier this year.

Okay, now you're officially a Disney princess 👸😁