GOLDCREST: a towering giant at survival
TINY and shy, the goldcrest may be Britain's smallest bird but it is undoubtedly a giant when you consider its survival skills.
No heavier than a 20p coin and less than four inches long, it ekes out an existence in woodland or conifer plantations despite threats from a host of predators.
Even great-tits have been known to kill and feed on goldcrests so danger is never far away.
In autumn and winter, native goldcrest colonies are supplemented by migrant goldcrests arriving here from Scandinavia after making perilous trips across the North Sea.
A goldcrest is significantly smaller and lighter even than the blue-tit so the thought of it flying across a vast freezing sea to reach us is quite amazing. In past centuries, it was thought goldcrests cheekily hitched lifts on the backs of larger birds but this is obviously untrue.
Goldcrests were also known as 'woodcock pilots' because they often arrived at the same time as migrant woodcocks, appearing to guide them in.
The goldcrest and its much rarer cousin the firecrest - equally small - are both named after the brightly coloured crests on their heads which they flare in anger or alarm.
After mating, females of both species lay large clutches of lightly spotted white eggs in dainty cup-like nests constructed of moss and cobwebs. Despite their diminutive size, goldcrests can actually be quite aggressive and often challenge each other over territory or food.
Insects of various types make up their diet and these are relentlessly pursued from tree to tree.
Goldcrests normally feed on miniscule prey but there are also reports of them attempting to kill large dragonflies - and being comically dragged off in the process.
However, the fact that goldcrests usually manage to find enough to eat in the depths of winter is a tribute to their remarkable foraging talents.
Like wrens, goldcrests' flitting progress through a tree can be furtive and almost mouse-like.
Often, the first clue to their presence is their high-pitched, thin voices as they keep in contact with each other high among the treetops.
Although rarer, firecrests are said to be easier to spot because their colouring is more dramatic and they tend to feed closer to the ground. However, when I tramped round the so-called 'firecrest trail' at a local wood recently, I failed to pinpoint any.
This was probably less to do with the firecrests themselves and more to do with having a wife and two moaning children in tow.
Faced with that onslaught, who can blame the poor birds for keeping a low profile ?
