Firecrest on south west coast (1 Viewer)

Paul Longland

Well-known member

• Oct 19, 2017

• #1

Currently holidaying in Brixham Devon and been reading some local reports of large numbers of firecrests including flocks of up to 60 birds in the area. Wondered if this was connected to the sudden influx of hawfinch, continental birds blown in by hurricane ophelia or normal for region at this time of year. I have seen a few myself in various hedgerows and trees over the last few days and wondered if anyone had an explanation for this.

 

Paul Longland

Well-known member

• Oct 19, 2017

• #2

Try firecrests. I hate predictive text. Must switch it off3

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Oct 19, 2017

• #3

I believe they've become relatively numerous at this time of year Paul, especially to the South and West, although the figures you mention perhaps....do seem like an increase over the norm?

Cheers

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 19, 2017

• #4

Nice to see Admin have corrected the errant 'fire rest' :t:

 

Ppedro

Well-known member

• Oct 20, 2017

• #5

Paul Longland said:

Currently holidaying in Brixham Devon and been reading some local reports of large numbers of firecrests including flocks of up to 60 birds in the area. Wondered if this was connected to the sudden influx of hawfinch, continental birds blown in by hurricane ophelia or normal for region at this time of year. I have seen a few myself in various hedgerows and trees over the last few days and wondered if anyone had an explanation for this.

Click to expand...

Hello Paul,
very unusual numbers. Some autumns you can struggle to see one ( a bit like Goldcrests ). It has been speculated that they were part of a movement on the French coast that got blown across the channel last Saturday night/Sunday morning. As you know there have been good numbers in south Devon all week. Hope you have had a good holiday !
Perry

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Oct 20, 2017

• #6

Certainly an extraordinary influx - 68 ringed on Portland Bill alone on the 15th October, 1 more than the previous ever highest annual ringing total, with an estimated 150 on the island -

http://portlandbirdobs.blogspot.co.uk/

In Cornwall too, a record year, with over 150 ringed at one site (Nanjizal) this autumn already.


As to from where ... ??! Near continent? And why?

 

Paul Longland

Well-known member

• Oct 20, 2017

• #7

Not being from this area wasn't sure if this was normal, although the numbers being reported locally did seem exceptional. My thought was continental migrants caught up in the storm as it seemed to be a sudden fall rather than a steady influx. Whatever the reason I was happy that one or two fell into my lap for a welcome year tick.:t: