Thursday 19 March 2009

Long Tailed Tits - Groups or Pairs

A while ago I said I was worried that I was only seeing two LTTs at at time where I had been seeing groups of six or seven at a time on the feeders. Well, I should not have worried. Having had a search round the net I found that this is normal. They tend to group together in the Winter months but in the Spring they tend to move around in pairs.

Can you spot all six Long Tailed Tits here?
You may have to click on it and look at a larger version on Flickr to spot them all.

Long Tailed Tits

Another interesting fact about my favourite bird visitors:
Single LTTs have been known to help out mated pairs feeding their young. Not only that but they have been seen helping with the feeding of the offspring of other species. I read about one LTT observed helping out a pair of Wrens by bring food to the nestlings.

They really are the gentlest of the birds I have visiting. They have never squabbled amongst themselves or bothered any of the other birds. They swoop in, have a quick feed and then go on their way.

Blue and Long Tailed Tits

Blue Tit Nest Box
Both birds visited the box briefly a couple of times today.
No more nesting material as yet though.

3 comments:

  1. They're really such pretty birds John

    I can see 5 LTTs and an eye!

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  2. I'm very jealous now John! Only today I spent a considerable amount of time with the camera focused on the fat ball feeder in the hope of seeing some LTTs, they do flit in from time to time but never stay long and so far I haven't been in the right place at the right time.

    They are lovely photos and yes it took me some time to spot them all, they really are fascinating and delightful little birds.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tricia: Well spotted, or should I say eyed!

    ShySongbird: I do know how you feel. It was months before I got my first photo of the LTTs. They stay for such a short time and the slightest movement and they are away again. I am sure your patience will be rewarded soon.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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