My first Firecrest (1 Viewer)

[Quacker]

Decided to visit the in-laws at Peterborough over the Bank Holiday. Reward for this was the day at Titchwell while the other half went to Sunny Hunny (Hunstanton a few mile further up the coast)

The day was cold, misty & damp - but what the heck, I was at Titchwell. The day got off to the best possible start with a pretty wee Firecrest showing very well. No, showing well did it an injustice, it was showing OFF! - yes this was in the car park! I got almost a bigger buzz when someone more of a novice than I asked the difference between that and its common cousin the Goldcrest - he was impressed when I mentioned and pointed out the the white stripe. Actually so was I! lol.

The rest of the day was not as I'd hoped, at one point I achieved a positive i.d. on a Coot at approx 50 yards! - yep, visibility was very poor, and what seemd murky at 8x42 was multiplied at 30x (obviously).

The day brightened up, and the mist lifted, but in spite of exhaustive searches (by birders a lot better calibre than myself, I hasten to add) the Arctic Redpoll was not seen - at least until I left at approx 5pm) It had been reported the two previous days.

Not many highlights, I suppose seeing Sammy (hon mention no. 45675) is always a highlight, a Mediterranean Gull in full black-cap plummage, and some off-shore Long Tailed Ducks. As a member of the sub-200 I even ticked off Brent Goose |:$| - Avocet even in the numbers they are here are always a lovely bird too.

Even when i came out of the centre, waiting to be picked up, I watched the Firecrest again - such a smashing little fella.

I assume everyone felt the same about seeing their first one? - now of course the challenge is to see him in Co. Durham

Steve

 

[Eagle]

The day was cold, misty & damp - but what the heck, I was at Titchwell. The day got off to the best possible start with a pretty wee Firecrest showing very well. No, showing well did it an injustice, it was showing OFF! - yes this was in the car park! I got almost a bigger buzz when someone more of a novice than I asked the difference between that and its common cousin the Goldcrest - he was impressed when I mentioned and pointed out the the white stripe. Actually so was I! lol.

Firecrest now that would be a lifer for me....I have to say I was contemplating a visit to Dunge.......4 spotted there...but then again any excuse to visit Titch...

oh help!!!

 

[Quacker]

never mind reading this thread Eagle, get your report done on your second day, I'm hanging on here;-)

 

[Eagle]

never mind reading this thread Eagle, get your report done on your second day, I'm hanging on here;-)

That will have to wait until tomorrow the muse has to have a rest!!
Its ok writing a couple of lines but a report....now that takes a bit longer!!!

 

[Henry B]

More visits to the in-laws ,Quacker..lol.

 

[Stewart J.]

Yo Quacker nice one there is no comparison between Firecrest and Goldcrest once seen, they are so differant "Jizz" is the key. Was it low down and obvious compared to Goldcrest and did you get the call?

Stewart (remember the RLB)

:bounce:

 

[salty]

glad you still enjoyed your little visit to titchwell, at least you done some birding......back up in 'gods country' it's been rubbish weather since saturday, and sunday it has rained NON-STOP all day!!! - im hoping to get out on bank holiday monday though, fingers crossed.

ps: could you not leave a trail of bird seed to try and entice that firecrest up here bud???

 

[cuddy]

The birders bird, always a pleasure to see these little jewels but sorry they dont go to Durham on account Northumberland is much nicer B



Totally jealous and unbiased Cuddy

 

[IanF]

Well done on the Firecrest Quacker :t:

I have yet to see Sammy so he'd be a lifer for me - maybe this year we'll make it as we've nothing fixed up for Spring yet.

 

[John N]

Well done. I also got my first Firecrest this year, also really showing well. A super little bird.

 

[Quacker]

Henry, a visit to the inlaws is always a double-edged sword, (better insert smiley reference here just in case) but now we have it sussed! - I've already planned the next one for Titchwell/Cley & Snettisham etc. 16/5 and Minsmeet 17/5

Rutland Water is en route too (if I ever tire of the big two).

Hi Stewart, never forget the RLB - I will be after more favours from you soon, regarding Grindon Lough - I'm going to have to get up to Slaley Woods nr Hexham (caravan is up there and the new season is well underway) - I'd appreciate any advice or tips of where to look (I have the where to watch birds guide, but local knowledge is much better). Feel free to PM me as i know you love that area, and indeed pass it when you travel the A69 if i recall?

The Firecrest was high, middly and low - it was all over, but the white stripe was promnent, then it did call, and as you said, it was discernible from the Goldie, even to my inexperienced ears - actually, the first report I read said Firecrest heard in main car park, so it was obviously heard before seen.

Richie, I tried leaving a trail of seed, but sadly there were birders from all over the UK doing the same! sadly, their seed was of better quality than mine and it heard of the rain up here.

Aye aye Brian, it's a great bird as you fortunately know, it still has the wow! factor (at least to me) some people were indifferent to it! - I can't help feeling it's a sad state of affairs when seeing a Firecrest is not a thrill - I also accept birds from N/umberland & Cleveland as well as the Durham ones. I'm getting a few reports of GG Shrike & Black Redstart at St. Mary's today?

Ian, I've been to Titchwell twice, and both times Sammy and quite literally flew and landed no more than 30 feet in front of me, almost as a welcome. As Britain's most well-known bird (excluding Jordan perhaps) Sammy brings a smile to everyone, and certainly brightened up a cold, foggy, miserable damp day. I know you'll catch up with him soon and will probably use several batter packs and memory cards lol.

Finally, John, thanks for that. There were two Goldcrest flitting about outside one of the hides, and they were no more than 3 feet distant and no higher than 7 feet high with no cover in the bush - a great day to compare our smallest UK birds.

Speaking of which, they are the same size bird, bu the Goldie is always quotes as our smallest bird. Anyone any reason why?

it's an awful day, but i want to go out - back to work tomorrow so it seems a shame to waste the time.

Steve

 

[Stewart J.]

Hi Stewart, never forget the RLB - I will be after more favours from you soon, regarding Grindon Lough - I'm going to have to get up to Slaley Woods nr Hexham (caravan is up there and the new season is well underway) - I'd appreciate any advice or tips of where to look (I have the where to watch birds guide, but local knowledge is much better). Feel free to PM me as i know you love that area, and indeed pass it when you travel the A69 if i recall?

Yo Quacker always happy to oblige lets Know your target species and we'll take it from there. Do you know of the Ladycross Nature Reserve and Group? (Slaley) anyone can join its very informal and organise some very interesting and informative spring summer and autumn (Nightjars)walks can supply more info if interested PM me. Will be out of contact for rest of week.

Stewart

:bounce:

 

[Quacker]

Yes, well aware of Ladycross & Nightjars, my caravan is in the same (Slaley) Woods. Ladycross is a few hundred meters up the hill.

 

[Geoff Pain]

Managed to see the Firecrest myself Saturday and Sunday,also managed the A.Redpoll on Sunday.You were right it was a right little stunner wasn't it?Sadly though made 3 trips to Titchwell,Sat,Sun and today but alas no sign of Sammy, oh well I'm back in May so hopefully will see him then.
Did you have a new style BF cap on back to front? if you did I saw you on the path by the hides and later on with cap the right way round in the car park.

 

[Quacker]

Managed to see the Firecrest myself Saturday and Sunday,also managed the A.Redpoll on Sunday.You were right it was a right little stunner wasn't it?Sadly though made 3 trips to Titchwell,Sat,Sun and today but alas no sign of Sammy, oh well I'm back in May so hopefully will see him then.
Did you have a new style BF cap on back to front? if you did I saw you on the path by the hides and later on with cap the right way round in the car park.

Yes, that was me Geoff, the Slim lad with the fine head of jet black hair.

Sammy was just past the second hide (right hand side when heading toward sea) a few yards from the path when he flew in. Don't know where he'd been before that as not seen in any of the hides, islets or obvious points. - did we speak at all Geoff? - I usually manage to chat to most people even if it's just to ask what i've missed or confirm an odd-plummaged wader (most likely).

Paranoia setting in here now, Arctic Redpoll seen on Thursday, Friday Sunday and i go on the Saturday - not even a Common Redpoll around on Saturday.

Steve

 

[Geoff Pain]

I was the one in the car park with the old style cap on.You were having a look at some,I presume ,Firecrest pics on someones Digiscoping set up.

 

[Steve Jones]

Got my first one in November 02 at Martin Mere, Lancashire (having dipped twice previously). Top bird and fearless with it!!( like Goldcrests's).
Saw lots last September at Lake Garda in Italy. Even the wife thought they were lovely birds...which they are. If you have the chance, go for them!

 

[Tim42]

Similar birds

Yo Quacker nice one there is no comparison between Firecrest and Goldcrest once seen, they are so differant "Jizz" is the key. Was it low down and obvious compared to Goldcrest and did you get the call?

Stewart (remember the RLB)

:bounce:

We have a very similar bird in America called the Golden-crowned Kinglet. It looks almost exactly like the Firecrest except for a little color variation around the scapulars and on the head.

 

[timmyjones]

I tried for firecrest at holkham pines but there were so many goldcrests there must have been over 20!

 

[Quacker]

We have a very similar bird in America called the Golden-crowned Kinglet. It looks almost exactly like the Firecrest except for a little color variation around the scapulars and on the head.

Not entirely related, Tim, but I recall a schoolboy book (Observers book of Birds or possibly the Observers book of Birds Eggs) which stated the UK's smallest bird, the Goldcrest was also known as Golden-crested wren or Kinglet.

A very nostalgic flashback there Tim, cheers!

Steve