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Sunday, 25 February 2018

Grimsbury Res Feb 25th 08:30 - 09:30


Willow Tit courtesy of Tom Bedford Out of the blue sky






Willow Tit - 1
Marsh Tit - 1 (with thanks to RKB for ID)
Wigeon - pair
Song Thrush - at least 3
Siskin - 4
Lesser Redpoll - at least 1

Dave Lowe and Tom Bedford
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6 comments:

  1. RB25 February 2018 at 21:08

    The top pic is definitely a Marsh Tit. The bottom one looks like a Willow.

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  2. Tom Bedford25 February 2018 at 22:35

    Thanks RB. There are more pictures of the two birds that we saw today here: http://www.outofthebluesky.co/?p=1936
    We would be interested in your views, cheers, Tom

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  3. RB25 February 2018 at 23:25

    Hi Tom, definitely Marsh and a Willow in those pics - maybe the nightmare scenario of a mixed pair! Pics 1, 4 & 5 are Marsh, the others are Willow. Cheek pattern (white/grey) and pale bill mark are definitely there in the Marsh (see especially pic 5 where the bill is in shade, and the white mark shows nicely). Clear dark bill on the willow in pic 3, and undertail also shows the graduated tail tip (at least 3 feather tips visible in steps, sometimes shown by adult marsh, but generally a good pointer for willow). Pic 2 also shows willow tit pattern on greater coverts - dark centres and contrasting pale margin (new feature: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517411). Had another report of mixed pair up north last year - the Marsh Tit was even ringed as a Willow by mistake (out of usual range), and seemed paired with a Willow. Oddly, it seemed to be mimicking willow calls when associating with Willows, and only gave a pitchoo call in response to playback. There a record in the literature of a mixed pair attending a nest, so they might be able to hybridise (never been proven genetically). Cheers, Richard

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  4. Tom Bedford26 February 2018 at 06:28

    Richard, thank you for such an informative response, really useful. I only hope that this is not bad news for the Willow Tit population at this site! Cheers, Tom

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  5. RB26 February 2018 at 09:20

    I think the 'population' at Grim Res has been stuck at 1 for over a year. That Willow is an adult (can tell from tail feathers), so same bird as last year. I don't think there has been a pair for several years, and no confirmed breeding - Gareth Blockley would know.

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  6. Dave Lowe27 February 2018 at 15:04

    Richard - many thanks for helpful feedback on the Marsh Tit ID. Post amended now. Seems there has only been 1 Willow Tit in that area for "some time" now (per GBlockley). Also appears that this is the first Marsh Tit of the winter - again as per Gareth
    all the best
    Dave

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