Firecrest on Fat Ball Feeder (1 Viewer)

[MiketheBirder]

Around 12.40, 14.30 and 15.45 on 8th January 2020 a Firecrest visited the fat ball feeder in our West Christchurch, Dorset garden. I've been feeding birds for a number of years now but have never seen this feeding behaviour before. I have had Firecrests in the garden before, the last being in early December 2019. Very excited to get a photo at 14.30, not brilliant as through two panes of glass.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Welcome to BirdForum Mike. What an absolutely brilliant bird to get in your garden!

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Mike and welcome to BirdForum. Outstanding garden bird!

Rich

 

[delia todd]

Crikey Moses!!!

How wonderful that is.

 

[Jonno52]

What a remarkable bird to get on your feeder Mike!! Wonderful, and a very convincing pic, especially through all that glass.

And of course, welcome to BF!

 

[MiketheBirder]

Thanks everyone. If the Firecrest returns in the next few days I will endeavour to try and get some better photos without any windows in the way!

 

[dantheman]

Nice one (not quite the major rarity as a garden bird in the south or maybe generally so, but still ...) I'm sure I recall seeing the occasional record of Goldcrest visiting fatballs, but not a usual occurrence, I'm sure Firecrest must do (? - well this one did!) but still pretty unusual.

 

[Euan Buchan]

Nice one and welcome to the forum.

 

[jogresh]

Superb! Welcome to BF.

 

[Paul Longland]

Nice one (not quite the major rarity as a garden bird in the south or maybe generally so, but still ...) I'm sure I recall seeing the occasional record of Goldcrest visiting fatballs, but not a usual occurrence, I'm sure Firecrest must do (? - well this one did!) but still pretty unusual.

A firecrest in the garden is a fantastic bird.
As you say I occasionally had Goldcrest visiting my garden but until last winter never saw them on the feeders but then suddenly they started coming to the fatballs (picking up the crumbs from the bottom of the feeder not actually pecking at the balls themselves), and them progressed onto the suet pellets.
So far this winter though no signs of them at all.

 

[pianoman]

Nice! That would make a very good birding day for me

 

[MiketheBirder]

Firecrest did return to feed on fat ball feeder twice today at 14.35 and 15.15. It was joined by a mail Bullfinch at 15.15 which was on the sunflower hearts feeder. This morning I heard a loud 'Kerchew, Kerchew, Kerchew, Kerchew' call overhead and was amazed to see 2 Peregrine Falcons flying together. They were similar sized and looked like 2 males. Eventually they split, one remaining overhead accompanied by a Buzzard. Good garden birding day! Unfortunately I was not quick enough to get any photos this time, but will persevere and hopefully get some without windows in the way.

 

[aeshna5]

Lucky you & well captured!