What it loves

Small but picky. The goldcrest is crazy about conifers: spruce, pine, fir, larch. Got space? Plant a few evergreen trees or a mixed hedge with some conifers included. Leave dead twigs and don’t tidy everything up too neatly – insects live under there. No pesticides, yes to little critters. In parks or larger gardens, variety helps too: tall, low, evergreen and deciduous mixed together. The more structure, the better the chance of that tiny golden streak in the canopy.

Ecological importance

A tireless insect forager. It combs branch by branch for spiders, aphids and eggs. In doing so it helps keep pest outbreaks in check, especially in conifers. It is prey for birds of prey and sometimes cats. Small size makes it especially vulnerable, but it is ecologically important in forests and green strips.

When in the Netherlands

Present year-round. Both a breeding bird and a winter visitor; in winter extra goldcrests often arrive from northern and eastern Europe.

Status

Protected native species. Not threatened and fairly common nationwide, especially in coniferous forests and older parks. However, it is sensitive to severe winters and large-scale felling of coniferous forest. More mixed, biodiverse woodland would be beneficial.