Sherborne Firecrest's

Took another quick trip down to Sherborne Sewage works to have a look for the Firecrest's that I saw on Friday. Straight away when I arrived there was a male Firecrest in the bramble scrub by the disused mill giving a nice but brief view. The Siberian Chiffchaff was present and was calling more frequently today and gave some amazing views.

Other highlights include Blackcap, Marsh Tit, Jay, Siskin and 2 Kingfisher along with the usual Tit, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff flocks. The Firecrest's proved elusive to see well in the dense scrub and my attentions were drawn to a good number of mixed birds including Long-tailed Tit and Chiffchaff's that were flycatching in some tall willows. Shortly afterwards, I had 3 Firecrest reappear from the bramble scrub and give amazing point blank views down to a few feet. They are incredibly difficult to get decent photos but persistence prevailed and this female Goldcrest ( yellow crown stripe) came very close in low brambles and Ivy right beside me. It was a very special & magical moment. Don't think i'll ever beat views and pictures of Firecrest this well.

Many years I have always wanted to see Firecrest and today really became my best ever encounter with the species. My first Firecrest record was from Cross Inn Forest, Ceredigion Wales in 2013. Only saw 2 birds in 2013, 2014 saw 7 different birds throughout the year. 2015 best year ever and recorded total of 21 Firecrest records!! (mostly October and December). The mild weather proved very suitable for Firecrest, wintering Yellow-browed Warblers and Chiffchaff's around wetlands and scrubby habitat. So far this year I've recorded 6 Firecrest records.

Today there was at least 3-4 Firecrest at the sewage works. Several other birds recorded across Somerset and Dorset at Sewage works, gardens, wetlands..... 

When I returned back to Trent I was not expecting any more Firecrest!! There was one in the garden across the road giving some lovely views and another down Mill Lane at Trent sewage works!! Incredible to think there is this many Firecrest about. Mostly all over-wintering birds like the Chiffchaff's. There is without a doubt a small spring movement of Firecrest happening across the south coast of Dorset and Somerset. wintering bird's returning to mainland Europe or freshly arrived birds to the UK. Most likely these Firecrest have over-wintered and now dispersing south towards France, Spain where they breed in large numbers on the continent. It is still a pleasure to see any Firecrest, let alone several in a single day.

Let's see what happens with spring migrants arriving closer each day. Hoping to see my 1st Sand Martin, Wheatear and Osprey of the year by next week all going well with the forecast. 

The sewage works at Sherborne and Trent are really showing a huge amount of potential for a spring rarity to turn up in the next few weeks!! Wishful thinking but have Bluethroat on the cards if we get easterly winds in mid-March. You never know what may turn up. With Ring Ouzel and Yellow-browed warbler in the heart of Yeovil town this winter, spring passage would well deliver some great birds if these migrant hotspots are closely watched.... Watch this space............................................