THE goldcrest was once known as the golden-crested wren, a family to which the goldcrest is not related.

At 8 to 9 centimetres (3-3½ inches) long, it shares, with the firecrest, the distinction of being our smallest breeding bird.

Its fine bill reveals its close affinity to the warbler family.

Males can be distinguished from the females by the orange centre to the yellow crest.

This feature has led to confusion with the firecrest, but this has a red, and much more obvious, crest with no yellow.

The food of the goldcrest, which is common in coniferous areas, consists of spiders and insects, and this can mean great hardship during cold winters.

The nest of the goldcrest is a delight and made of moss, but made secure by having handles attached to the branches of a conifer.

In this nest, as many as ten white eggs, with red spots, are laid.

They take two weeks to hatch, and two weeks later the young can fly. This leaves time for the pair to raise a second brood.

It is worthwhile spending time in our conifer woods and keeping an eye open for the delightful little goldcrest .

Value of stuffed specimens

WHEN we visit museums we often see lots of stuffed specimens.

We get annoyed when we realise that old-time naturalists shot these specimens.

We should, however, remember that we have powerful binoculars, and excellent cameras, with which to record wildlife.

The art of taxidermy (the stuffing of animals) has thankfully not been lost, although there is a law against killing birds and mammals.

But what happens when a delightful creature dies, or is killed on the roads?

These creatures should not be allowed to rot, but should be preserved. Photographs are an excellent way to record wildlife, but they cannot usually give an impression of size, and there is nothing quite like touching the fur of a mammal, or feeling the texture of a bird’s feathers.

Those who want to understand all aspects of our wildlife should visit museums and look at the specimens closely.

Don’t get angry at these sights, but give thanks that we are now keen conservationists and have no need these days to kill on purpose.

We should, however, make full use of valuable, and beautiful, specimens found dead.

Britain led the way in protecting birds

LAST week I was given a Times newspaper dated July 1934, which celebrated the passing of a Bird Protection Act in 1933.

Britain was the first country even to think about having a law to protect birds, and another was passed in 1953.

Prior to this, most birds in Britain could be killed and eaten, including skylarks, thrushes, blackbirds, rooks and, indeed, “owt that flew could be eaten”.

Still applying in Europe today, it is possible to see songbirds being eaten, and also kept in cages to delight their owners.

In my opinion, by far the best way to enjoy wildlife is to see them free, and in the wild.

Even earlier in British history, the Fur and Feather Society was formed in the 1890s to stop mammals and birds being killed to produce hats and feathers.

The Fur and Feather Society soon changed its name to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

We should all be proud that our country has played a vital part in the history of conservation.