Tower and Town, October 2025 (view the full edition)Nature Notes: Fergus, the feisty FirecrestThe Goldcrest and the Firecrest are UK's smallest birds and we're fortunate to have healthy populations of both in our area. I find the Firecrest the more striking, with its vivid colours and neat appearance. It has a blue-green back, a bright yellow collar and a bold black-and-white eye-stripe. The Goldcrest, by contrast, is less showy, with a softer greenish-grey plumage and no eye-stripe. 
For the past two years, I've also been keeping an eye on a pair of Firecrests. What has been fascinating is that, although Firecrests usually migrate to warmer regions for the winter and return in the spring to breed, this pair has remained on their territory throughout the colder months. Recent winters have been relatively mild, and their chosen territory offers good shelter from the weather. The trees nearby are covered in ivy which seems to provide the insects they need to survive. So let me introduce you to Fergus, the feisty Firecrest. He was first caught by a bird ringer two years ago and the small ring on his right leg has made him much easier to identify ever since. Firecrests are tiny, fast-moving birds that flit restlessly through the branches, and spotting them can be a real challenge. This spring I had the chance to watch Fergus in the thick of territorial battles with the male Goldcrests whose territories bordered his on either side. These skirmishes were dramatic affairs - birds launching themselves at one another, tumbling out of the trees in a furious tangle, only to break apart at the last moment before hitting the ground. There was also plenty of wing-flapping, moving together in quick, jerky movements and loud, scolding calls. For such small birds, their voices reach an impressive volume. 
After several weeks of these noisy disputes, things eventually settled down. I later spotted Fergus along with a female Firecrest, busily collecting insects, and not long after, I was delighted to hear and spot a recently fledged Firecrest. That leads me to believe Fergus enjoyed a successful breeding season. I hope they continue to stay nearby - such cracking little birds. 
Helen Llewelyn |