Rare Firecrest, the joint smallest bird in Europe visits Attenborough

By

WBWire

Thursday, January 17, 2019 5:42 pm

Over the past couple of weeks there have been many people with binoculars and cameras gathered around the lane into Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Attenborough Nature Reserve.

But what have a few bushes got that the 145 hectares of nature reserve hasn’t?

Weighing around the same as a 10p coin, the Firecrest holds joint position with its relative the Goldcrest for the smallest bird in Europe. To the untrained eye they may look similar, but there are a few distinguishing features that set them apart. The black eye stripe and white markings above the eye are only present in the Firecrest, but the most notable difference is their bright orange crown.

They rarely stay still, so look out for the flash of orange that can be seen darting through branches whilst they catch insects and spiders to eat.

Firecrests are undeniably a charming bird to watch but why is this one in Nottinghamshire attracting so much attention?

Firecrests are much rarer than the Goldcrest and don’t often visit this area of the country, with only 15 records at Attenborough Nature Reserve since 1974.

In the past Firecrests were simply passage migrants, meaning they would only stop in the UK during their spring and autumn migration, a sort of pit stop if you like, on their way to the warmth of Southern Europe and North-west Africa.

This bird travels from Eastern Europe and despite its small size crosses the blustery North Sea before taking a well-earned break in the UK. However, in 1962 the first record of them breeding in the UK was made in the south of the country. Although they haven’t stayed in Nottinghamshire to breed, chances are this fiery visitor could well be spending the winter with us. The last Firecrest at the reserve was in 2016 and is thought to have stayed in the area throughout the colder months.

It seems that this particular Firecrest has chosen the bushes along Barton Lane for its winter stay, if you want to catch a glimpse yourself, head to Attenborough Nature Reserve and keep an eye out along Barton Lane, just before the level crossing.

If the bird is nearby there are likely to be at least a few people waiting to see it too, but as any birdwatcher will tell you – prepare to be patient and it’ll be well worth the wait.

For more information about the Firecrests and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves visit www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org.

Source

White-winged black tern at Attenborough Nature Reserve

A rare bird usually found in Central Asia and Africa has been discovered at a nature reserve in Nottinghamshire.

The white-winged black tern has attracted more than 800 birdwatchers to Attenborough since it was first spotted on Thursday.

Experts said the bird could have been blown off its migration course as it would normally spend winter in the southern hemisphere.

Centre manager Tim Sexton said the bird's visit had been amazing.

'Swallow-like'

White-winged black terns' scientific name is Chlidonias Leucopterus which means swallow-like with bright white wings

The birds have a white rump, pale grey upper wings and a broad white collar

They are known as marsh terns and have shorter tails than sea terns like the common and little species

Mr Sexton said: "It first appeared on Thursday but news didn't get to us until late so it was too dark to go out looking for it.

"An anxious night followed and at first light on Friday I arrived at the reserve and within minutes, had relocated the white-winged black tern.

"It's so rare in the UK because it breeds in the far east of Europe, Central Asia and East Africa.

"It over-winters in southern Africa, South Asia and as far away as Australia."

Continued

Rare bird spotted at nature reserve

A RARE bird has been spotted at Attenborough Nature Reserve.

Notts Wildlife Trust staff, who manage the reserve, spotted the bittern – a rare species of heron – amongst the reeds on Wednesday.

Speaking about the appearance, Tim Sexton from the reserve, said: "These birds are very few in number – with only 87 males recorded in the UK last year. Here at Attenborough we are usually very fortunate: our specially-created reedbed habitat often attracts bitterns during the cold winter weather.

"Over the last couple of years, bird enthusiasts from around the country have travelled to Attenborough to catch a glimpse of this elusive bird, with five recorded last winter.

"I can only assume that this year, the recent harsh wet and windy conditions on the east coast have moved them inland to their over-winter grounds early."
Continued: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Rare-bird-spotted-nature-reserve/story-17009720-detail/story.html

More information on the bittern (Botaurus stellaris):

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/bittern/index.aspx