Long-tailed tits

badgerwatcher · #1 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 01:52 PM

Long-tailed tits! In my garden! I'm so happy! Tra-la-la!

Are they likely to go on the feeders?

smartie · #2 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 02:08 PM

No reason why not. They are mainly insect eaters but have been known to feed from feeders.

Lucky you. We had some in the garden in the summer but have seen none here since September.

Wolfhill · #3 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 02:10 PM

The last time I saw them i my back garden was in Decemeber 2005 and they were feeding on fat balls! Good luck in trying to entice them to stay!

Lincs Yellowbelly · #4 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 02:11 PM

Nice one, we get a group very occasionally pass through the garden. The will use feeders, usually Fat balls and peanuts

badgerwatcher · #5 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 02:14 PM

They were calling pip pip through my kitchen window! I know they're a bit nomadic, but they are so happy and fluttery. They've really made me smile. I hope they stay!

jennyb · #6 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 02:42 PM

Lucky you. They are such beautiful birds - one of my favourites.

They pass through here every now an again but never feed from my feeders. I have never managed to get a photo because they don't seem to keep still

Jenny

mrs fish · #7 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 02:50 PM

Lovely garden visitors

They visit my tree now and again but don't go on feeders.

Wild-Woman · #8 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Lovely garden visitors

They visit my tree now and again but don't go on feeders.

They seem to travel around in little gangs. Have a rave up in the apple tree, then go off to the next stop. Bit like a pub crawl really.

(Not that I've ever been on one, you understand!

)

Barbara · #9 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 04:39 PM

At the moment I am visited by one sometimes three a couple of times through the day. They head straight to the fat balls and peanuts. I remember early last year when the weather was really cold, we had long-tails in the garden all day feeding. I used to sit on a chair right next to them, the weather was absolutely freezing cold. They didn't mind me being there at all, they were more interested in feeding, so I expect they may increase in numbers to your garden if the temperature should drop

Barbara

vinnychameleon · #10 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 04:44 PM

For the last two weeks they have visited my peanut feeders every day.

badgerwatcher · #11 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 04:51 PM

Oo, how lovely. I do hope so.

Billy Wobble Dagger · #12 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

They seem to travel around in little gangs. Have a rave up in the apple tree, then go off to the next stop. Bit like a pub crawl really.

(Not that I've ever been on one, you understand!

)

Pub crawl? Not even heard of that phrase let alone being on one

We get a small flock passing through every few weeks, fat balls seem to be the answer. They don't hang about long either. They are lovely little birds though.

BWD

neep_neep · #13 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 05:54 PM

When i'm at uni, I see long-tailed tits most days (if i'm looking out for them at the right time in the afternoon!)

Next door neighbour has obviously been feeding the birds for a very very long time, and there is a group of about 8 long-tails who visit her feeders very frequently (frequently enough for me to *assume* they visit daily...)

I saw them today, and it's only my first day back in Sheffield for 3 weeks - and i've been seeing them since I moved in back in September.

But agreed with everybody else, they don't seem to hang around for long! Bit of food, then they all disappear off through the trees.

Loving the pub crawl analogy

Deer Stalker · #14 (**permalink**) 14-01-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

They seem to travel around in little gangs. Have a rave up in the apple tree, then go off to the next stop. Bit like a pub crawl really.

(Not that I've ever been on one, you understand!

)

These 'gangs' in winter are apparantly a senior male & female, their most recently fledged young, & some aunts & uncles related to the senior male that failed to breed but earned thier way into this winter flock by helping with thier brothers breeding effort.

Wild-Woman · #15 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

These 'gangs' in winter are apparantly a senior male & female, their most recently fledged young, & some aunts & uncles related to the senior male that failed to breed but earned thier way into this winter flock by helping with thier brothers breeding effort.

So a real family affair. Never knew that, very interesting. Suppose it's better called a pack or pride then!

Jules

goosey · #16 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 07:04 AM

On 19th Nov' we had a long tailed tit in the buddleia for the first and only time. I rushed to get the camera, didn't check the setting (you can see where this is going!) and took one photo from inside the house before it flew off. I was gutted with the result, I can make the tit out but the photo is so dark you really have to convince yourself it's there. I really Hate myself sometimes.

Lincs Yellowbelly · #17 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 07:35 AM

Long Tails are a very family orientated bird like has been said. If a bird doesn't find a mate it will often help another pair bring up their young, and the young will also help raise a second brood

I love Long Tails, absolutly brilliant little birds

Hawkwind · #18 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 08:57 AM

I have regular visits from a long tailed tit who goes straight for the peanut feeder and fat balls. He is always on his own and has no friends or family. Poor thing seems to be a bit of a loner. I just hope he finds a mate by Spring time. Hawkwind.....

Mandy · #19 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 12:05 PM

Hi,

Sadly I have never had them visit my garden but yesterday I went to my local reserve and a large flock were present and managed to get a few pics. Anyone interested can see the pics on my blog British Nature and Wildlife pics

I think they are one of our most endearing little birds, they are so cute!

Mandy

badgerwatcher · #20 (**permalink**) 15-01-2007, 12:43 PM

They're still around, on the fat feeders, fingers crossed!

davewalker · #21 (**permalink**) 18-01-2007, 10:36 AM

Good fat balls seem to be the answer,we have been seeing the flock regularly for three years.
davew

badgerwatcher · #22 (**permalink**) 18-01-2007, 10:41 AM

There are so many different sorts of these, though, aren't there Dave? I feel at the moment that the insect ones seem to be what is attracting the long-tailed tits and blackcaps, but I may be imagining it?

nightshade · #23 (**permalink**) 18-01-2007, 11:36 AM

The long tailed tits go straight for the fat feeders but do not stay long
saw a ball of them in the heart of a thicket(Holly I think)at work one
very cold morning
Apparently their tails freeze to branches or twigs and they starve
in really cold weather

Blackdog · #24 (**permalink**) 19-01-2007, 01:07 PM

There was a large group of these delightful little birds happily flitting around a hedge alongside a supermarket fuel station in Barnstaple when I was filling up there a couple of days ago. They seemed totally oblivious to the cars and people within just a few feet - wonderful!

wyevilla · #25 (**permalink**) 22-01-2007, 10:26 PM

We get a small gang moving through the trees at the bottom of the garden 5 or 6 times during the year. I've never seen them visit any feeders or fat balls. However what I love is the way that they search the tree buds and tumble down through the branches from one level to another.

Have you noticed how difficult they are to count? Your eyes are drawn to the moving ones and you lose the stationary fluff balls until it's their turn to carry on foraging. Then, just as I'm really getting into it, they take off as one to the neighbours' apple trees.