Monday 5 January 2015

Firecrest.


                                   

I was recently being conscientious and saving the nation's water supply (having an outdoor pee), when this tiny bird settled on a branch just a foot away from my nose.

I'd never seen anything like it before, and immediately consulted my bird book.

It's a Firecrest. The bright orange crest on its head raises up when singing or searching for a mate.

I'd not even heard the name Firecrest before, let alone seen one. When I consulted Wiki I found that it's also knows as the COMMON Firecrest, and is widespread throughout Europe. Well, you could have fooled me!

You learn something every day. Nice isn't it!


39 comments:

  1. What a stunning bird to see while responding [twofold] to the call of nature! Thanks for sharing your bird with a birder here in Africa! Have a great day. Jo

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    1. As a country boy I've always considered myself reasonably knowledgeable about wildlife, so this came almost as a shock.... a very pleasant shock.

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  2. It's a lovely little bird. And what a magnificent name it has!

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  3. Never seen that little chap before. Well done for identifying him. (I got attacked by a kookaburra last week - he tried to steal my sandwich.)

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    1. How very exotic. I once had a Seagull steal a chip.

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  4. Now that's a pretty one I'd be proud of bagging. Long tailed tits are my favourite. On rare occasions I've seen them in Devon woodlands.

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    1. We occasionally have a gang of Long Tailed Tits pass through the garden. They arrive in a flourish, rush around from tree to tree looking for insects, then disappear for another year. I didn't see them this year, but that doesn't mean they weren't here.

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    2. Now that's a sight I'd be keeping a beady eye open for!

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  5. What a little beauty - it certainly lives up to its name. Long tailed tits are my favourite too. The other morning I was standing by the nut feeder and a whole gang of them came and ignored me completely - just going about their business, tails sticking out in every direction - if only I had my camera to hand - isn't it always the way.

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    1. I try to remember mine at all times, as it's so small. But just when something interesting comes along.....

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  6. Such a beautiful little bird. I have never seen or heard of them. I was thrilled a few days ago to see a kingfisher sitting on a branch above the river, only about 3 yards from where I was walking with the dog. There is usually a heron standing around on the bank too.

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    1. I saw a field-full of white Egrets last week.... got lost maybe?

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    2. There are often one or two egrets along the river too.

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  7. Very cute little chap...indeed you do learn something every day.

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  8. That why I like blogging so much. We dont have that bird here but yeterday some people saw a big Amoo running in the streets of one the towns here.There is no end to the wonders of this world,

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    1. I've looked up 'Amoo' on Google, but nothing. Are you sure that's the right spelling?

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    2. It is a big australian bird. Iam sure I did not spell it right as I do most of the time. I shall look again.The bird is Emu. Google told me at last.
      The day before there were 3 Rhinos running in the street of another town.

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    3. I shall now forever think of them as Amoos.

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    4. Do you think Yael is hallucinating?

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    5. I dont . They fiered the zoo gatekeeper really. It was in the newa here as if we dont have ather troubles,
      how are you Rachel? we miss you in blogland,

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    6. Ignor my spelling and think of amoos.

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    7. Rachel, why have you abandoned your page. Reinstate at once; I shall miss you.

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    8. I suffered a loss of confidence but I've recovered, I think.

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    9. Hope you will come back.
      you can see the emu (amoo) and the rhnos in youtube- type "emu israel" and"rhino escape ramat gan".
      sorry Cro for commenting so much here.

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    10. You can comment AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE Yael.

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  9. Never seen one! You were probably showing disrespect to its territory.

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  10. Lovely bird. Know of if but have never seen one.
    My faves are nuthatches and long tail tits. The long tail tits visits us mob-handed quite often and look like a game of kerplunk on a feeder.
    I was wondering why you took a camera with you when you were peeing al fresco and then realised that you had downloaded the pic.

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    1. No, sadly not my pic..... Do the Long Tail Tits always behave like a bunch of hooligans? I've never seen them behaving otherwise.

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  11. What a treat to see one. I've seen a Goldcrest - which is similar but only once. Even the long tailed tits have abandoned us this winter so far. Just dozens of Norwegian blackbirds!

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  12. It is always a thrill to see something new (to us) in nature. I saw my first bluebird a few years ago, even though I read that they are not uncommon in my area. And who doesn't burst out in a smile when they see a humming bird?

    I love it when Mother Nature surprises us.

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  13. It's a lovely little thing.

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  14. Gosh...lucky you were looking where you were going....happy new year!!

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  15. What a darling little bird! You'll have to be on the lookout for them now.

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  16. Looks like a cross between a wren and oriole. We don't have the Firecrest in Oklahoma.

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  17. We very occasionally get one here Cro - I believe they are our smallest bird - but I agree, they are exquisite.

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  18. I enjoy cross comparing the birds I know to birds across the ocean. Your firecrest is a little gem.

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