Europe’s lightweight proves hard to find

Firecrest (BenPorterWildlife.co.uk)

At nine centimetres long and weighing just 5.5 grammes, little more than a 20 pence coin, it’s easy to overlook a Firecrest. But the black-and-white striped head and orange crown are striking. Firecrest is a scarce breeding species in Wales, although there could be more across Welsh forests than are found by birdwatchers each spring. It was one of the last resident species in Europe to be described in the scientific record, in 1820. Previously, it was assumed to be a variant of Goldcrest, with whom it shares the title of smallest bird in Europe.

A Firecrest at Bodffordd Sewage Treatment Works on Anglesey last week is only one of four reported in North Wales since the turn of the year. Typically around a dozen are sighted by the end of February across the region, numbers having increased during the early 2000s. In the last decade, however, only in winter 2016-17 were fewer recorded in the region. Little is known about the origin of our wintering Firecrests, or whether our small breeding population moves elsewhere. Bird-ringing suggests at least some come here from countries bordering the southern shore of the Baltic Sea, arriving via a short sea crossing from Belgium and the Netherlands.

The wintering flock of Waxwings remains at Halkyn, with 75 on the Mountain last week and 21 in the village on Saturday. Another group is near Llanddulas, where two Surf and two Velvet Scoters remain offshore. Another Surf Scoter was reported off Black Rock Sands on Sunday. Great White Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Water Pipits are at RSPB Cors Ddyga, where the mild weather prompted a Bittern to crank up its booming call. A flock of Pink-footed Geese, numbering more than 500, are in the Cefni Valley, and another 3000 fed in fields east of Abergele with a single White-fronted Goose. Last week’s high tides pushed a Water Pipit close to Flint Castle, where two dozen Twite feed up ahead of their journey to a Hebridean summer.

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