A Penduline Tit unexpectedly turned up just behind the visitors' centre. The person who discovered it told Mat Meehan that he had seen a Bearded Tit with a black face! Mat ID'd it straight away. My wife works on Thursday afternoons so I was fortunately there shortly after it was discovered, otherwise I would have been there early in the morning and gone by then. The weather was windy and there was a light rain - nothing changes! I did another video the next day as well.
Lovely footage, John! My husband was lucky enough to see a pair of them at Minsmere recently - it took a while to work out what they were as neither of us had seen them before.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Thanks Clare, they are a beautiful and characterful little bird. A pair? We can but hope!
Hi John,that year has flown by so quickly! Great to watch your footage again though-bet you'll be scouring that area this year!
Jayne
See my Flickr photos here.
Hi Jayne it certainly has flown, I thought we'd seen it this Spring until Mat Meehan (the reserve manager) said yesterday it was exactly a year ago. I've seen signs of similar damage to bullrushes as seen in the video in another part of the reserve recently, but no Pendulines. Then again as you've seen they are so well-camouflaged it would be easy to miss them. I came across this video recently which shows the pendulous nest that gives the species their name - it's amazing to think this tiny creature can design and make such a unique and perfect nest.
Superb video John-such a neat,cosy des res! It looks so vulnerable though-I can see buds on the trees so maybe when it's finished and ready for nesting the leaves will camouflage it? Thanks for posting
John, I would keep your eye open again. One was reported yesterday just above Slimbridge. It is probably making its way back down river!!
The Cotswold Water park sightings website
My Flicker page
Cheers Bob, fingers crossed!