The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Hi there
Are willow tits still being seen regularly anywhere in the county?
I see two are always listed for Far Ings each week.
Spoke to Phil Porter regarding them at Whisby and he's had very few recent records.
Not had any in the Gainsborough area for several months now.

Cheers
Brian

There were two sites around Louth until 2005, maybe 06 but none since

John

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Lincolnshire Birds https://www.flickr.com/photos/120340949 ... 8078912016
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Contact: recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk

Hi Brian,

I have had three sightings, of single birds, on my local patch at Swanpool up to now this year.

They used to be quite common here but have declined drastically in the last few years.

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Regards,

Andy.

They still have a foothold in the Market Rasen area. I ringed 8 last year, all either at Occupation Lane or Walesby Moor. On 1st January 2010 I caught 1 new bird and a 3 year old re-trap at Usselby Plantation. They prefer the damp scrubby area amongst the conifer plantations.

Been one on the feeders at Chambers recently

Had one during WeBS count at MSQ on January 17th.

Max

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

Messingham remains a reliable site

Chris

And two were at feeders at Far Ings in Jan

John

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Lincolnshire Birds https://www.flickr.com/photos/120340949 ... 8078912016
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Contact: recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk

Contrary to what was written in the opening thread Whisby is probably the most reliable place around Lincoln for Willow Tits.

Last year (2009) was the best year for Willow Tits since I started monitoring them in 2004 and up to ten potential territories were recorded. Autumn counts which we presume include juv birds were also good indicating a productive breeding season.

It’s important to realise that they become secretive during the winter and unless calling are very easily missed. They just started calling again at Whisby at the end of January and will therefore become more conspicuous as the call attracts attention. At Whisby singing starts around mid March and is short lived only lasting 3 to 4 weeks. Willow Tits then become very secretive again as they settle down to nesting.

Whisby appears to be the only place in mid Lincs where Willow Tits are holding their ground (for now at least)

Regards

Grahame

Grahame,

If I had to rely on their call I wouldn't record any, the one I saw at MSQ was in full view in a small bush alongside two Great's about fifty yards from the dipping platform.

John

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

John Goy said "If I had to rely on their call, I wouldn't record any!" I find exactly the opposite as a lot of my records of many species are on call only (ie Willow Tit, Crossbill, Bullfinch etc. etc.) I have always told new people to bird watching/recording that, particularly for woodland species, a good CD on bird calls is far more useful than expensive optics. I agree with Graham that Whisby is a good site for the species, as is most parts of Willingham Woods/Forest area.

Agreed,Stuart. Even in my audio/visual prime I insisted on the call to differentiate Willow/Marsh Tit.

Richard.........

i agree about the calls of woodland species etc excluding great tit but audio equipment is not much good if your hearing is impaired through age, accident, etc

terry whalin

Stuart,

I also have a couple of CD's on bird calls but also have hearing problems. Last week while at Tuetoes my mate kept telling me he could hear Goldcrest but I couldn't hear a thing, and yesterday at Worlaby a chap stood with me from Leeds said he could hear pink-feet and that was before they came over, and when they did I still couldn't hear them. I don't have expensive optics but I rely totally on my cheap optics but I don't consider them cheap.

Max

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

my hearing is not impaired but i know people that are and allowances should be made for them also the same applies to vision. i have slightly impaired colour vision and people see things in different colours and shades to more fortunate people, the colour vision gene is passed from mother to son and does not effect girls but i know people whom are seriously impaired compared with me with just pinks and shades of brown which are obvious to some but a mystery to me. i once was seriously critiscised on this website by saying i when not sure about a certain wheatear species i wait to get a good look at the tail pattern when to some more fortunates there are more obvious features on view, but when they are not available through whatever reason be they hearing or colour vision defects allowances should be made because they have to compensate in a different direction and it does not make them a bad birder just one that appears to struggle a little in certain areas. just do not be hasty to judge there is always a reason for comments like wheatear tail patterns or willow tit calls.

terry whalin