Goldcrests in Finland
When the Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 9 cm, 6 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect goldcrests in Finland
The Goldcrest lives in Finland all year round. Long, dark, snowy winters; feeding is a widespread national habit.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the Goldcrest usually nests May–July. Nest site: hammock under a conifer branch. Clutches are 7–10 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days; chicks fledge after 17–22 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Goldcrest does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Finland plants for goldcrests
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 8 provide food the Goldcrest uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Hazelnuts for Nuthatches, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Pine seed for Coal Tits, Crested Tits and Crossbills.
Cone seed for Siskins and Coal Tits; Goldcrest nesting habitat.
Feeding in the garden
Tiny insects in conifers.
- Best foods: Suet.
- Feeders: Suet cage.
- Heavily hit by cold winters — dense conifers help them survive.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are goldcrests in Finland all year?
Yes — the Goldcrest is resident in Finland all year.
When do goldcrests nest in Finland?
Typically May–July. Clutches are 7–10 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help goldcrests in Finland?
Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Bramble, Silver birch, Alder, Hazel, Scots pine, Norway spruce are native to Finland and provide food or cover the Goldcrest uses.
Goldcrests in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- Goldcrest — RSPB bird guide
- Goldcrest — BTO BirdFacts
- Finnish Bird Atlas — Finnish Museum of Natural History
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.