Bird of the week - Long-tailed tit

A pair of long-tailed tits has become a constant presence in my garden over the couple of weeks.  They seem devoted to each other and are rarely seen apart.  The larger family tribes will have broken up by now as the birds pair off and seek nesting sites.  These two are on the feeders very regularly, mostly on peanuts but also on the fat/seed mix.

Long-tailed tits are widespread in lowland Britain.

They are increasing in places where they are commonest but declining in the South West and North West and in Wales and Scotland.

Long-tailed tits are common in gardens at this time of year.  The latest BTO Garden BirdWatch data suggest that there are more this year than usual.

The long-term trend is an increase.

Read more about long-tailed tits here and here.  Listen to the BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the Day on long-tailed tit here.