This weekend I went along to a bird ringing demonstration and got the chance to ring my very first bird – a goldcrest.
So in honour of this little bird, who so obligingly sat still for me, I thought I’d share this photo, by Chris Knights, with you.
Goldcrests are Britain’s smallest bird, and the little female I ringed weighed just 5.1 grams – that’s equivalent to about 5 paper clips!
It’s simply astonishing to think that something so tiny could manage to migrate here across the North Sea from Scandinavia and Russia, as continental goldcrests do each winter. In fact, in the past, ornithologists found this so hard to believe that it was thought that goldcrests hitched a ride on the back of woodcocks – and so they became known as ‘woodcock pilots’!
Nowadays, thanks to ringing studies, we know that these amazing little birds can, and do, make this epic journey unaided. A truly impressive feat!
If you’d like to see one of these birds for yourself, you could try your luck at one of our reserves.
Whether you need a good ‘Ahh…’ moment to get you through the first day of the working week, or prefer a spectacular landscape photo to whisk you off into daydreams of long country walks, you can find a great selection at RSPB Images.
Awww sweet little bird... But you'd need hundreds just to make one pie. I know there's a joke about woodcock pilots and roding, but it slips my mind. :@)
Flickr Me.... Cosper Wosper
I only saw a Goldcrest twice when I lived in Dunblane, Perthshire. Have never seen one here in Aberdeenshire.
A million voices for nature.
That is just delightful, such a tiny creature and so perfect. Thank you for posting that photograph and telling of this Goldcrests venutres.