bearded tit

[Sprout]

following on from a post i put in a thread yesterday (headed 'black cap'), i've been doing some checking about bearded tits and see that they're pretty rare. this has me doubting myself as to whether the bird we saw at burton marsh on the river dee was actually a bearded tit. is it likely to have appeared there? i've looked through all the books i have, gone through all the bearded tit photos on here, and on the rspb site, and it really does seem to be the only bird that fits what we saw. it was the striking colour and round shape which doesn't match anything else. what do you think - was it a bearded tit and we were very lucky to have seen it, or do you think we were mistaken? thank you for any opinions.

[Ruth Daniel]

Hi Sprout,well knowing the area I wouldn't discount it completely but I've not heard any reports of a Bearded there.....I'd be straight in the car if I had!

Check out this site where they post all sightings from the Dee estuary;

Dee Estuary Latest Sightings

Good luck,I hope you are right!!!!

[Sprout]

thanks for your response ruth, i've put that link into my favourites, i'm sure it'll come in very handy.

[Green Man]

Remember that anything can turn up anywhere at anytime so if the habitat is right, why not? This is essentially how a species increases its range, eg little egret rare 10 years ago, now quite a common sight. In our part of Cambs buzzards were rare 5-10 years ago but saw 4 this morning in a 2 mile radius! Sometimes its just the individuals pushing the boundaries, sometimes its weather conditions that contribute to a birds location, sometimes the need for food etc - the possibilities go on and on. Be positive, and if you're convinced of beardie then thats what it was.