Willow Tit

[Eastside Urchin]

Unfortunatly not in Essex but while i was parked at the services at clackett lane,surrey(M25) i decided to have a little walk into the woods there as i could hear nightingale singing.Then i heard a willow tit calling and after about 2 mins i found it.

This bird is all but extinct now in essex as i think the last record was a couple of years ago on the Essex/herts border near stortford.The stronghold in the south appears to be kent/sussex and a few in surrey but even in these areas there are very few records.In the midlands the species is more stable but still not as strong as it was 10-15 years ago.I think this could be an extinct uk bird in 20 years which would be a shame

[Ian_W]

[Eastside Urchin]

lovely little bird,very similar to a marsh ttit but with slightly (very) different markings and a different call.

[Dagger03]

In Essex - two reports in 2003, and two in 2004 - none since then. But it is not an easy bird to identify and is often mistaken for marsh tit.

 

The reports were from the Takeley area - not sure if any were reported in 2007 as the Essex Bird reports come out so late.

[SirGarfieldSober]

Hi

definitely had willow tit in the back garden during the winter, probably a pair as there always seemed to be two around. This is in a village outside Ware Herts.

difference between marsh and willow tit to me is the warmer buff / yellow colouration on the willow tit.

 

dont remember the calling.

 

that said havent seen them since march.

maybe they migrate about a bit?

 

[Eastside Urchin]

they are basically a woodland bird,but like all woodland birds they will visit gardens for food in the harsher months.They are not migratory but obviously will move around in search of food