Tiny bird, big thrill

Willow Tit (Parus montanus) By David Merrett - Flickr Willow Tit, CC BY 2.0, httpscommons.wikimedia .orgwindex.phpcurid= 14614110

It all started when I noticed a new visitor to my bird feeders:  very shiny black crown, chic grey, peachy tummy.  Then, The Guardian carried this item about the decline in Willow tit numbers, with a photo that looked just like what I'd seen. Ooh, thrilling!  I wonder if that's what mine was?

​The article referred to the State of the UK's Birds report which I'd just posted on MoreNews.

Next: Consult the experts, Andrew and Peter.  Response: not Willow but more likely Marsh tit - they look much the same but Willow's crown is 'sooty' and mine's was definitely as shiny as a black top hat.  What a thrill though!  (For me - but maybe it's just I'm such a novice at this, perhaps they're quite common.)  Peter sent me this link to the most delightful story about the willow tits at Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve in Suffolk.

---

MarshTit Parus Palustris By Kristian Pikner - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, httpscommons.wikimedia .orgwindex.phpcurid= 63655446

But then, Izzy Fry's delightful blog about her new woodland hide, included the words, 'The feeders had only been up for about 5 minutes when a flock of Blue tits and Great tits arrived! And soon after that the other tit species (including Marsh tit!) ...' 

​So, if Izzy's excited, it's OK for me!

---