Willow tits (Poecile montanus) are difficult to distinguish from marsh tits unless you hear them call or sing. Their population is in decline and they are red listed, yet I see them on most visits to Prestwick Carr, Big Waters or Far Pasture.
These data from the BTO confirm the population decline over the past 40 years.
Data from the Bird Atlas confirm the willow tit's restricted range. This is the winter distribution
and this is the breeding range.
Watch the BTO video on how to tell willow tit from marsh tit here. Read more about willow tits from the BTO here or on BTO BirdTrends here or BTO BirdFacts here. Listen to the BBC Tweet of the Day on willow tits here.
Not quite as promiscuous as the reed bunting featured in a post two weeks ago, but almost. It is not an easy bird to photograph as it is mostly at the bottom of the hedge under cover. Fortunately it does pop out into view occasionally. The eye darkens as the bird gets older into a beautiful mahogany. To listen to the BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day on dunnock click here. Read more about the dunnock on BTO Garden Birdwatch here or on BTO BirdFacts here.
Hoping to see an otter, I went to Gosforth Park early this morning. No otter but instead this chap turned up. He was a bit too far away and too silhouetted for a good photo.
Here is a better photo of a young female from last year.
Hoping for a better kingfisher photo I later went to Far Pastures. No kingfisher - but there was an otter! Only brief views but still a thrill as I have only seen one twice before.
