Goldcrests and 'pishing'

Europe's smallest birds are the goldcrest and the firecrest. The latter which is the most attractive one with its bright facial markings is by far the more common in Charente but a bit of pishing in the woods along the Bonnieure yesterday attracted the attention of a goldcrest along with the inevitable great and blue tits which respond unfailingly to this technique. Firecrests, nuthatches,robins, chaffinches and long-tailed tits were also curious about the noise I was making but most other species except for treecreepers are nearly always unresponsive.

Today has started with drizzle and mist so I don't expect to see or hear much but a postscript to my posts for earlier in the week is of a flock of 8 woodlark which were feeding quietly by a track near Ventouse. This species usually reveals its presence by it song but at this time of the year all the birds remained silent and motionless, relying on their camouflage until I approached within 20 yards. The goldfinch flock on the plains were still working their way through the remaining sunflowers (as were over 20 collared doves) but their unsettled and nervous behaviour was soon explained by the presence of a sparrowhawk concealed in a nearby tree. He has probably had several dinners from this large flock over the last few weeks. Rooks and jackdaws were present around Chatenet yesterday. Tawny owls are still calling in the early hours and a barn owl was hissing loudly from the church tower at Fontenille on Friday evening.

                                                                            

GOLDCREST                                                           FIRECREST