To be precise, it’s three years, four months and ten days since the bearded tits first arrived at Old Moor (not that I'm counting). Since then, we’ve had fairly consistent reports of them although it’s also true to say that sightings do ‘go quiet’ every once in a while.
But not today! In the sightings book this afternoon there were three separate records, each of ‘two birds’ seen along the Reedbed Trail. Good places to see them at the moment are: from the Bittern Hide; on the path to the Reedbed Screen; and between the Screen and the Reedbed Hide.
Here’s what else was recorded…
Fantastic though it is to know that the bearded tit are still resident at Old Moor, it would be even better to have some evidence that they are breeding this year. So, if you do happen to see these terrific little birds over the next few weeks, have a good look for juveniles.
As a rule of thumb, young beardies will have black on their backs and black sides to their tails. Of course, a photo of a young bird would settle things beyond doubt!
Something like this would be nice... [Taken June 2017, NOT today!]
It’s probably not escaped your attention that it’s the Half Term holiday this week. So, to finish tonight’s blog, a small plug for an event running tomorrow at Old Moor. Wild Wednesday is a day of activities for children and families visiting the reserve. Full details can be found here and here.
Next sightings update from me, here on Thursday 30 May. For more immediate sightings, follow us on Twitter @RSPB_OldMoor.
Until next time.