2 FIRECREST

Goldcrest and Firecrest are just about tied for Britain’s smallest bird. But the Firecrest wins the award of the prettiest ‘crest’. The head is a riot of stripes, the back a greener green, the belly purer white and the shoulders have a bronzy, orange patch which treats the eye. They are also much scarcer than Goldcrests, but Firecrest is a bird on the increase in the southern half of the UK. Look especially in evergreen woodland; and listen for the high pitched calls and perhaps the accelerating, very high-pitched song.