'No, it can't live here'
'That's too exotic-looking for the UK'. These are just a couple of comments from non-wildlife enthusiasts when I show them a picture of a bearded tit.
Despite the wind and rain I managed to get out and see some good wildlife this weekend. Amongst the birds I saw were two parties of bearded tits, with their distinctive 'ping' call, stunning orange colour and males with their, well I'd call them moustaches, but the person who named them clearly thought beards! They're great birds to see, and liven up any day.
Especially when as I'd picked up my mate at his house and his girlfriend called after us: 'Don't see any bearded tits now!'. She's never seen one before, but this occasion I was more than happy to leave a lady disappointed! I hope you're not disappointed with this stunning image from RSPB images, taken by Edwin Kats.
For more on our science, check out the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science web pages.
Hi Northdevonfocus, thanks for your comment. Bearded tits live in reedbeds, so that's the place to see them. They're also mostly confined to the East and South coast of England, but there are some further north. So sorry, it looks like you might be lucky to see them in North Devon.
Last weekend I saw mine at Titchwell Marsh, and also Cley Marshes.