The sun was lighting up our garden beautifully on Sunday afternoon and I spent a happy hour watching the birds in the garden. (I had already done the BGBW the previous day) The great spotted woodpecker paid a visit but by the time I had fetched my camera he was gone. I also had a visit from a single long-tailed tit. It often comes on its own though it had very kindly brought five friends along the previous day to be counted. I thought LTTs always travelled about in little flocks but not this one and it was being most obliging by sitting out in the open and staying still for me to photograph unlke the wren which did its best to stay out of sight, just giving me tantalising glimpses now and then! I also had a visit from a very handsome songthrush who was keeping an eye out for the blackbirds that try to chase it away. Fortunately they were elsewhere, no doubt bullying some other unlucky bird. A robin was singing its heart out in a next door's yew tree, a pair of blackcaps were busy at the feeding station and a large flock of linnets and yellowhammers was flying over the field. Whilst I was watching all this there was a whoosh and a grey blur as a bird of prey flew by the window. I don't know what kind it was and it didn't catch anything so that was a relief. As all the birds had gone for cover I took the opportunity to tear myself away from the window and settle down in front of the fire for the evening to sort through my photos, of which here are a few:
A most obliging long-tailed tit
A wren trying to keep out of sight
My handsome songthrush
Best wishes,
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Lovely photos.
Before this January, I had seen long tailed tits once, for a few seconds.
This January and February I have had about 6 sightings in quick succession. They remind me of naughty kids on BMXes. They turn up in a crowd, hop about all over the place without staying still for a moment, then they all disappear at once to cause mischief somewhere else, the last one in the group struggling to keep up.
In the office this morning, on the phone, I saw a couple of LTTs just outside my window, only 4 or 5 feet away. My closest ever sighting.
Thanks Diogenes. Your description is just right, that's just what they are like. They are sweet little birds aren't they? Lovely for you to see them so close today. I thought of putting up some feeders near my office window as they aren't any trees. Trouble with that is that I probably wouldn't get much work done. lol!