I observed a Firecrest this morning half a mile west of Allerford along the public footpath near Bossington Hall.

Numbers of these birds have increased greatly in recent years on Exmoor. In 2020 there was a ‘fall’ of at least 15 between Porlock and West Porlock mid October with some birds staying into November. In the same year 6 were seen in January.

In 2021 there was a fall of at at least 25 along the west coast early October to mid December with 15 between Porlock and Worthy and 4 at Culver Cliff.

In 2022 there was a fall of over 30 birds along the coast from October 29th to November 10th (18 between Porlock & Worthy on this date). 5 singing males were heard in the breeding season.