Hungry Bearded Tits?

KentYeti · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 08:23 AM

I've never seen a Bearded Tit before yesterday so, in the words of Manuel, "I know nothing".

But I was told but someone standing with me yesterday that the behaviour in the first photo is not common. He felt it was because they must have been very hungry after disruption caused by the severe gales of the previous few days.

Anyway, got a new bird for my Life List. And missed one there 8 hours later! Was photographing the Short Eared Owl when a Merlin flew low down and directly over me. Small sort of Kestrel like bird but a greyish, bordering on blueish bird. Had a superb view as I tried and failed to get a quick focus lock on it as it was just too close.

Cheers,

Bryan

PS. My Life List is only of birds I have a decent photo of.

billybirder · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 08:48 AM

Amazing first views of Bearded Tits! I had a bout four "first sights" as they rose out of reed beds, people said "there they are"... I said "where?" and people said "gone now"

After about 4 different episodes of this I got my eye in for these lovely birds, but I've never seen them like that. I hope they have coped...

FUDGEY · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 09:13 AM

I think the ones on the ground wont be feeding, but eating grit to help digest the food they have alraedy ate.

rossy · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

I think the ones on the ground wont be feeding, but eating grit to help digest the food they have alraedy ate.

thats bang on fudgey, when i visited leighton moss, they had a bearded tit walk, and so as not to dissapoint visitors, they put out grit trays , to which the bearded tits came, the grit is an important part of their diet. lovely birds especially the males. rossy.

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 11:00 AM

Wow great first tick, I have never seen one..

The BOP you saw could have been a male sparrowhawk they are blue.

pammosley · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 11:39 AM

Beautiful photos Yeti. I missed seeing them at Leighton Moss in the Autumn & only got a fleeting glimpse of one in the summer at Cley Marshes. I`d love to see them like this. Well done

Our "life list" are birds that we see & get ANY photo of, & then strive for a better one

pressld2 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 11:46 AM

Nice shots Bryan. I was goping to ask if they were at Oare or Elmley - didn't realise they were at Capel Fleet too.

Dave P.

Juliet1200 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 01:34 PM

Beautiful photos of a bird I have always wanted, but so far failed to see!

KentYeti · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Wow great first tick, I have never seen one..

The BOP you saw could have been a male sparrowhawk they are blue.

Many thanks for that. I've looked at loads of on line photos of Sparrowhawks and Merlins and can say I am about 75% certain it was the Merlin that is currently residing at Capel Fleet. But the doubt that remains explains why my Life List is only of birds I have a decent photo of! LOL!

And thanks for the comments and the explanation of the Bearded Tit behaviour. I could have done better with the photos. Wasn't feeling 100% yesterday and was a bit slow to sort out the camera settings.

Cheers,

Bryan

KentYeti · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pressld2

Nice shots Bryan. I was goping to ask if they were at Oare or Elmley - didn't realise they were at Capel Fleet too.

Dave P.

I did go to Oare after the reports of "an infestation of Bearded Tits", but saw not one!

But Snake had told me about those at Capel Fleet, (in the rushes on the side of the fleet next to the car park at the Raptor Viewing Point), so have been looking out for them ever since.

Cheers,

Bryan