Long Tailed tits?

[k4t3]

Just filled my bird feeders up and before I made it back inside (6 steps!) they had been invaded by a mini flock (around a dozen) of long tailed tits!
Never seen these birds in my garden before and the snow falling has now driven them away. Is it normal for them to be seen in groups like that? Are they resident birds or winter visitors? Have seen all the other tits right the way through the spring and summer but these were an unexpected delight!
Any info would be appreciated, thx!

[thebeard]

they're resident and common, i used to get them in my garden now and again in my previous house. they tend to rove around in their little flocks, often with other tits and finches. they're one of my favourite birds, always active and full of character.

[Ollie]

As thebeard said they are resident birds. and although common they are seen much more often in winter in gardens, particularly when the weather is severe.

They are highly sociable birds and form family groups that roam about seeking food and again as said they can often be seen in flocks with other tits and finches.

My experience of them as garden visitors seems to be that they will put in an appearance for a few days hand running then disappear for weeks before they show up again.

[Natasha_38]

This seems to be the case with the flock that visit my garden. They came all of a sudden again this morning - there must be approx 25-30. They descend on the feeders for approx 5 mins then they are off again & I don't see them again for a few weeks. they are lovely though, very entertaining to watch & really pretty.

[LRM]

Years ago, we used to get 3 small groups of Long Tailed Tits visiting every day, and occasionally a large group (same ones merged together?) They love the fat balls in particular and completely cover them, if the group is big enough. Will also go to the seed and nut feeders but don't seem to go to the flat trays. They don't stay very long. Looking at an old film photo, bit blurry, I counted about 24 of them. But then they cut down the gorse bushes and built a housing estate all around us, and the numbers dropped. Occasionally we see a group of 3. Last winter the biggest group was 6 or 7, the most we've seen in years. I have a digital camera now, but have only managed to get goodish photo of 2. (The squirrels also disappeared, but the rats moved in.)

But even worse news. At the bottom of the new estate was an area of old mining land covered with gorse, heather, teasel etc home to lots of wildlife, this summer they razed it to the ground to build more houses, I think. No more LT Tits, or Nuthatches, goldfinches, buzzards etc.

Its annoying that they tell us to go green, but they can't even leave a little bit of poor quality land for the wildlife.

[k4t3]

Thx for yr replies, LRM I really feel for you as it sounds like you are about to lose yr regular feeders, they cut down a lot of the trees around my place over the summer and luckily have not lost most of my regular feeders, but have not seen as much of my squirrels and thrushes since the big cut down...dont think that local councils are really in tune with the local wildlife, its really sad

[shenk1]

We get more in winter than summer but it's the sound they make I love. As they go along it sounds like they are whispering to each other PSST PSST PSST (foods over here).At least thats what I imagine they are saying ,they could really be saying "look out for the nutter ,he thinks birds are talking to him!"

[JeffH]

Lucky you K4t3 - LTTs are lovely little things

You'll find more information on them here - The RSPB: Long-tailed tit

I usually hear them in the garden before I see them, as they move through our garden hedges/trees in a group - they have quite a high-pitched call which you can hear on the webpage in the link.

Jeff