Goldcrests in Norway
When the Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is present in Norway, when it nests, and which native Norway plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Norway
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 9 cm, 6 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect goldcrests in Norway
The Goldcrest lives in Norway all year round. Coastal winters are milder than latitude suggests; inland winters are severe.
Mild maritime on the Gulf Stream coast, cold continental inland and Arctic in the north.
Nesting in Norway
In Norway 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 Norway plants for goldcrests
Of the native plants we track for Norway, these 8 provide food the Goldcrest uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
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 Norway all year?
Yes — the Goldcrest is resident in Norway all year.
When do goldcrests nest in Norway?
Typically May–July. Clutches are 7–10 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help goldcrests in Norway?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Wild cherry, Crab apple are native to Norway and provide food or cover the Goldcrest uses.
Goldcrests in other countries
Other garden birds in Norway
Sources
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.