Opinions on a (very vague) bird id..?!

hels · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 11:15 AM

Ok I apologise for the vague nature of this request...I was watching a group of blue tits this morning. They landed on a telegraph wire and were joined by 3 birds that were very similar sized, but with much longer tails. My initial thought was longtailed tits but due to the position of the sun I really wasn't able to make out any more useful details.

The only other similar sized birds with long tails I have seen here are dunnocks, but these were longer tails. My general knowledge of songbirds/ perching birds is very much a work in progress, so I just thought I'd see if anyone had any other suggestions that I haven't thought of.

I live on the Wirral, north-west uk, fairly suburban area - lots of houses with medium sized gardens and a lot of green areas nearby including a large park area with lots of trees and a couple of trees...

artdemole · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 11:22 AM

Flocks of mixed members from the tit family can be seen this time of year as well as winter months.They have been in the willow tree this week about 9am.May be on the feeders by end of the month as the blue tits and great tits have been there this week.

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 12:49 PM

Yes, Long-tailed Tits for me.

How are your ears? You can often hear them before you see them.

XC27426 Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus tephronotus ) | sound on xeno-canto/europe

hels · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 01:27 PM

...when I said trees and trees, I meant trees and streams :-D

And thanks for the feedback and the link...I will most definitely keep my ears peeled for them! No sign since I spotted them this morning, I hope they come back as I've never seen a longtailed tit before!

Are they likely visitors to bird feeders?

earthdragon64 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 01:31 PM

They do visit bird feeders, they seem to really like peanuts and suet balls rather than sunflower seed.

When out and about, I often hear them well before I see them, so it's worth learning what they sound like.

Regards, Audrey.

actionfinch · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 01:49 PM

I would agree I have a small flock of 5-6 that visit the garden ( LTT's ) with a couple of blue tits tagging along, they hit my fat ball feeder for a bit then head off into the woods...(its like a stop over ) On the end is a couple of blue tits... nice to see..cant miss hear there little trill they have

Gill Catton · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 02:43 PM

Another option could be wagtails but these would be noticeably bigger than the blue tits.

hels · #8 (**permalink**) 26-09-2011, 11:30 PM

Well, three and a half weeks later, I can now make a positive id! Had not seen them since I first posted this thread and was beginning to think I'd imagined it.
Got home today and saw a flash as one flew off the bird feeder, and about 10 mins later, clocked two of them in the trees just outside my garden.

I think thats the first time I've ever (knowingly) seen long-tailed tits! yay! Here's hoping they return :-)

Madmills · #9 (**permalink**) 27-09-2011, 07:14 AM

That's good to hear, Hels, this is how we all start our bird fascinations !

actionfinch · #10 (**permalink**) 27-09-2011, 02:05 PM

Hels , can you remember what time they came to your garden....?
I ask casue i have a small flock of about 5-7 fly through my garden between 630pm and 7pm ..not always , but some days.. it depends if i catch sight of them. They pass through pop to the fat balls then fly off intot the woods....
I always keep an eye out ( fi my shifts allow) to see if they come through.