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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Firecrest - regulus ignicapillus

 

Firecrest is a very small passerine in the kinglet family. It breeds in most of temperate Europe, North Africa and Madeira and is partially migratory with northern and eastern birds wintering south of the breeding range. In winter it is often found with tit flocks and is one of the smallest European birds, the smallest being Goldcrest. The first breeding pair in the UK was in the New Forest in 1962. Some historical names for Firecrest include; Fire-crested Wren and Fire-crested Kinglet. The scientific name has a literal translation 'regulus' meaning Wren, 'igni' fire and 'capillus' is a reference to hair.

 

There have been thirty-one Firecrest reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2009: (3)

At Orchard Pools near Severn Beach: At least one was present on January 9th, 11th, 26th - 27th & 30th with two present on January 25th; One was seen on February 21st and was still present on February 24th; Two were relocated on Ableton Lane on February 28th; One was present on March 2nd, 6th, 8th - 10th & 17th, two noted on March 5th, 7th, 11th - 14th & 16th, three present on March 13th.

 

 

Firecrest at Orchard Pools. January 2009. © Paul Bowerman left & centre. Right February 2009. Gary Thoburn.

 

 

Firecrest at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach. March 2009. Paul Bowerman.

 

2008: (4)

A male was present and heard singing around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth at 10:30 on March 20th (ST: 552 864); An adult was seen at Oldbury Power Station in the hedge along the bridleway from the entrance to the shore on September 7th and was still present at 12:30; Two were seen at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach on December 13th and December 20th; One still present on December 24th and 31st.

 

 

Firecrest at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. December 2008. Paul Bowerman.

 

2007: (1)

On March 16th one was seen in a garden at Severn Beach at 07:05 and again in the hedgerow leading to the railway station at 07:10.

 

2006: (1)

One, a 1st winter/ female was found on the target mound at Northwick Warth on December 18th.

 

 

Firecrest at Northwick Warth. December 2006. Paul Bowerman.

 

2004: (4)

One was noted on March 27th at New Passage; On October 16th one was seen at Severn Beach; One on November 27th was near Orchard Pools at Severn Beach; One was seen on November 28th at Leap Valley, Downend.

 

2003: (2)

A male was found on October 18th at Aust; One was seen on October 27th also at Aust Cliffs.

 

2001: (1)

A male was identified on May 20th at New Passage.

 

2000: (1)

One was located on March 10th at Leap Valley in Downend and was still present on March 11th.

 

1997: (4)

One was found on January 19th on Severnside; A male was seen on February 23rd on Severnside; Two were found on March 15th on Severnside, with one lingering until March 16th.

 

1996: (4)

One was seen at Barr's Court in Oldland Common on January 7th; One was seen on March 24th at Aust Sewage Treatment Works; One on October 27th was noted at New Passage; One on November 3rd was seen in Hanham at ST: 649 706.

 

1995: (1)

A male was seen on March 11th at Broad Lane in Westerleigh.

 

1983: (2)

One was seen near Elberton sometime in February; One was seen at New Passage sometime in April.

 

1982: (2)

One was noted near Thornbury sometime in March; One was reported from Over sometime in November.

 

1980: (1)

One was reported sometime between January 5th and the 7th April from Hanham. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire. (Nigle Warren)

 

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