Speculative Willow Tit

Jackaroo · #1 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 09:55 PM

Yesterday I was looking out at the feeders and something caught my eye and I grabbed my bins for a quick look. I didn't have time to fetch my camera so I resolved to get a good look at it and I.D. it later if possible. Well, the awkward xexexexexexe wouldn't present me with anything more than a jet black head with white cheeks, an olive or dun back and just the suggestion of a touch of light colour on the upper part of the wing. Couldn't make out the beak properly but think it was quite small and sharp. That's it, apart from the fact that it was around the size of a great tit but more slender. The nearest I can get with an I.D is either a Marsh or Willow tit. I didn't expect to see either up here in N.E.Scotland especially not in my garden.But perhaps this is perfectly normal. Can someone tell me if they're scarce up here or not, or whether it may have been some other similar bird?

Thanks, Jack.

tcvarlh · #2 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 10:03 PM

Gods, I have to get new glasses. I read the title and only saw 'Speculative Willow'. I know of a Weeping Willow and a Whomping Willow, courtesy of Mr H Potter, so I thought "Ay up, summat new"

h

Jackaroo · #3 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

Gods, I have to get new glasses. I read the title and only saw 'Speculative Willow'. I know of a Weeping Willow and a Whomping Willow, courtesy of Mr H Potter, so I thought "Ay up, summat new"

h

Sorry, no esoteric trees here I'm afraid. This bird's new to me though, and even if it turns out to be quite ordinary it's quite frustrating not to be able to identify it.

Domco · #4 (**permalink**) 17-05-2011, 12:31 PM

Hi,

Willow Tit is the rarer overall but I am afraid I don't know distributions. If it was down my way (Herts) it would almost certainly be a Marsh Tit and Marsh Tits aren't uncommon at bird feeders whereas Willow Tits I have heard of less at feeders but things may be different your way. The best feature by far at this time of year is the pale wing panel which is noticeable and diagnostic for Willow Tit (it fades in the autumn). Don't muck about with the other features as they are much more difficult to be clear on. Other than that pray that it calls. A nasal beeee-beee-beee would clinch it as Willow.

Hope it comes back and this helps

Cheers

Dom

Jackaroo · #5 (**permalink**) 17-05-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domco

Hi,

Willow Tit is the rarer overall but I am afraid I don't know distributions. If it was down my way (Herts) it would almost certainly be a Marsh Tit and Marsh Tits aren't uncommon at bird feeders whereas Willow Tits I have heard of less at feeders but things may be different your way. The best feature by far at this time of year is the pale wing panel which is noticeable and diagnostic for Willow Tit (it fades in the autumn). Don't muck about with the other features as they are much more difficult to be clear on. Other than that pray that it calls. A nasal beeee-beee-beee would clinch it as Willow.

Hope it comes back and this helps

Cheers

Dom

Thanks Dom, I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for its return, fingers crossed.Chaffies,Goldies and Blue Tits are all very well, but one would like a wee bit of variety and maybe a wee bit out of the ordinary. Thanks for the call tip as well.

RKB · #6 (**permalink**) 17-05-2011, 08:57 PM

Coal Tit?

Kayleigh · #7 (**permalink**) 17-05-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKB

Coal Tit?

That's what I thought, but Jack knows his birds..

bigdave60dog · #8 (**permalink**) 17-05-2011, 09:13 PM

Where about are you?
If it had white nape as well it would be a Coal Tit.
If the call is not heard, sensible ornithologists call them "Mallow Tits". It being too unreliable to tell them apart by sight only. I watched "Mallow tits" on feeders in Corpach two weeks ago and thought that I could hear Willow Tit. The woods above Corpach would be just about right for this species so i did not doubt that this species was in the vicinity.
Dave

RKB · #9 (**permalink**) 17-05-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

I watched "Mallow tits" on feeders in Corpach two weeks ago and thought that I could hear Willow Tit.
Dave

Any photos? This is way out of range for both species (though a relict Willow population is possible). It'd be like seeing Crested Tits at Newcastle.

There are just a handful of Marsh Tits in the far SE of Scotland (around Coldstream area), and a small population of Willows in Dumfries. But that's pretty much it. Although they do occur as very rare vagrants elsewhere in Scotland.