Treecreepers in Wales
When the Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) is present in Wales, when it nests, and which native Wales plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Wales
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 12.5 cm, 10 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect treecreepers in Wales
The Treecreeper lives in Wales all year round. Mild coastal winters; the uplands see snow and birds move down into valley gardens.
Mild, wet maritime climate with upland moorland and sheltered coastal valleys.
Nesting in Wales
In Wales the Treecreeper usually nests April–June. Nest site: behind loose bark or ivy. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days; chicks fledge after 15–16 days, and pairs raise 1–2 per year.
- The Treecreeper 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 Wales plants for treecreepers
Of the native plants we track for Wales, these 8 provide food the Treecreeper 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.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Tiny insects from bark.
- Best foods: Suet smeared into bark.
- Feeders: Suet cage.
- Rarely at feeders — rub fat into rough bark.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are treecreepers in Wales all year?
Yes — the Treecreeper is resident in Wales all year.
When do treecreepers nest in Wales?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help treecreepers in Wales?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Wales and provide food or cover the Treecreeper uses.
Treecreepers in other countries
Other garden birds in Wales
Sources
- Treecreeper — RSPB bird guide
- Treecreeper — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
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.