March 2011 part 3

6th Another walk along the river as it is a sunny day. Today we see blue tits, blackbirds, chaffinch, goldfinch, magpies ( 6 for gold the saying says). Crows building a nest, pussy willow in bloom on the trees, mallards, pigeons and lots of green shoots starting to push up through the soil. We also see a small bird in a bush which turns out to be a Goldcrest. My first sighting.

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) Europe's smallest bird. Found in coniferous and broadleaved woodland. They eat small insects. Builds a basket like nest from moss and spiders webs. They lay 7-10 eggs between April - June.
"And the tiny Goldcrest, like a flittermouse. Cheeps in the swarthy cedar's topmost boughs.  
                                                                                                                       F. Brett Young