Goldcrest
Regulus regulus
UK Green ListModerate📍 Grizedale Forest
Season
Year-round. Tiny. Conifer specialist.
Best time of day
Morning. Active in conifer tops.
Lake District
Common in conifer woodland. Grizedale. Whinlatter. That high call. Tiny. Yellow crown stripe. They flit. Hard to see.
UK population
Around 610,000 pairs. Our smallest bird.
Overview
Goldcrests are tiny. Our smallest bird. That high see-see-see. Grizedale. Whinlatter. Conifer tops. Yellow crown stripe. They flit. Hard to see. Follow the call.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Regulidae |
| Habitat | Conifer woodland · Spruce · Pine |
| Diet | Tiny insects. Picks from needles. |
| UK population | Around 610,000 pairs. Our smallest bird. |
| Lake District | Common in conifer woodland. Grizedale. Whinlatter. That high call. Tiny. Yellow crown stripe. They flit. Hard to see. |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Conifer woodland. Grizedale, Whinlatter, Borrowdale. That high see-see-see. Tiny. Yellow stripe.
Identification
Tiny. Green. Yellow crown stripe. Orange in male. High call. Unmistakeable.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Conifer woodland. Listen for the high call. They flit. Grizedale. Whinlatter. Our smallest bird.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species is on the UK Green List, indicating a healthy population status in the UK context. It remains an important component of Lake District biodiversity.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.