I could see a tiny bird hopping about in the bush moving very quickly. At first I thought it was the wren which has it's nest in the ivy which so far has eluded having his portrait taken!! I then saw it was a female goldcrest - what a little beauty!! I have never seen one of these in my garden - only seen one once in the country. She was jumping so quickly from branch to branch on the hunt for spiders and other insects. I love her yellow stripe on her head and her yellow feet!! Please come again!!
Many thanks for your lovely comments and Favs on my little robin on the cup. I was so pleased to finally get that shot!!
So thrilled to see this made it onto the PP! I love the shot and am so pleased you like it too!
That's amazing - well done for getting such a super shot. I've seen a couple of Goldcrests this year, but haven't even attempted a photo - like you say, they flit about so quickly!
Fabulous shot Pam, they really are wonderful little birds. Great close up. I have been lucky enough to have had these on and off in the garden for the last few years. They can become very tame, almost indifferent to you. I have stood with my face being about 12 inches from them as they fed.
They prefer to feed, nest and roost in conifers, but not exclusively.
Hints to get her to come back, try sprinkling Atora grated suet, on the bushes near where you saw her, or try the square blocks of soft fatty bird food. I think the normal round fat balls are a bit too hard for their fine little beaks.
They have very distinctive high pitched call and you often hear them first.
Good luck.
Oh I'm so jealous! What a gorgeous little bird and how nice to have her in your garden. I have only seen one in Wood Lane once. Huge Fav for this lovely capture
@markp thanks so much Mark for the information. I will try the suet - I think I have some . I won't be using the blocks of fat food though. I used to always put the blocks out on the bird table until a piece was knocked off and my dog Finlay tried to eat it. It got as far as his throat and got stuck and it was only by some miracle that I came into the garden as he collapsed. I managed to get his mouth open and force my fingers down his throat and thankfully dislodged it and he started breathing again. I will never use them or fat balls in my garden again. It still makes me feel ill remembering what so nearly happened! Hopefully I can tempt the goldcrest back with the suet!
They prefer to feed, nest and roost in conifers, but not exclusively.
Hints to get her to come back, try sprinkling Atora grated suet, on the bushes near where you saw her, or try the square blocks of soft fatty bird food. I think the normal round fat balls are a bit too hard for their fine little beaks.
They have very distinctive high pitched call and you often hear them first.
Good luck.