Today's celebrity creature is described as a 'Miracle of Nature' by RSPB's Luke Phillips ... Meet RSPB Arne's resident firecrests...
Firecrests could be described as one of those miracles of nature. They share the accolade of Europe’s smallest bird, with the goldcrest. They undergo incredible migrations and withstand some pretty harsh weather which is incredible considering they weigh only around 5 grams. It’s actually a species which seems to be doing rather well in the UK. Formally known as an exciting autumn passage migrant, nowadays firecrests are a regular breeding species and provide a bit of extra colour to an autumn day of birdwatching.
Firecrests get their name from the brightly coloured strip down the centre of their heads, but this is highlighted even more by its striking white and black eye stripe. These bright colours form part of a male’s spring display designed to attract females. Whilst singing their head could easily be described as being on fire! It’s quite a sight and words simply don’t do it justice.
RSPB Arne is a great example of a place where firecrests thrive, specifically in the reserve’s car park. This small area is a great example of a micro climate where the mix of tree’s and it’s secluded location provide the perfect home for a firecrest to survive the chilly winters and breed successfully during the spring and summer. The past few years has seen up to three pairs breed in the pines surrounding the car park and up to ten spending the winter in the thick dense holly tree’s which are abundant around the edge of the tarmac and gravel. On top of that, there are also lots of mature oaks which provide them with a plethora of insects to feed hungry chicks and fledglings.
Autumn is when we see that highest number of firecrests at RSPB Arne. Passage birds join the summer’s crop of juveniles as they migrate from Eastern Europe where temperatures start to plummet as winter approaches. Thankfully for visiting birdwatchers, they frequently emit high-pitched calls which to the trained ear can be distinguished from goldcrest due to its more persistent nature. Small groups can form and provide a real highlight for visitors hoping for a view of this colourful and quite scarce species.
2016 has been yet another successful year for this firecrests at RSPB Arne. We’ve had two males battling it out for the best territory. Their high pitched insistent song could be heard from early March, when wintering birds decide that RSPB Arne is going to be their home for the coming breeding species. March is also when wintering birds start their spring migration so there’s a good chance of a female firecrest passing through the area and could be tempted into settling in our car park. Two territories remained all summer, but evidence of breeding was only confirmed from one but it’s possible that three broods fledged from that pair! In late August we were lucky enough to watch a male feeding very recently fledged chicks in the oak tree directly above the visitor hut, where they attracted quite a few human admirers.
All photos by Terry Bagley - find out more about him here.