Broke My Duck!
 

Actually, and apologies to Birdman and other Duck-lovers, but this hasn't actually got anything to do with Ducks, but somehow 'I've broke my Tit' didn't sound right....

As some of you may recall, I have been after seeing my first ever Bearded Tit for a little while now, and today was the day!! Not 1, not 2, but 3!! at Oare Marshes and I have a photo (blurry of course!) as a momento.

Many thanks to all for the helpful hints (ie choose a still day, just sit and wait) and that's just how it happened.

BTW.... Those of you who enjoyed unravelling my dodgy photos from Cliffe a couple of days ago.... I have a whole bunch more!! So anyone who fancies more of the same watch out for some threads called Oare xx (and something to be avoided by the rest)

All the best..... Ruby

:t: :t: :t: :t:

I've been lucky enough to see Bearded Tits once, Ruby, and I would love to see them again.

Congratulations.

(I for one look forward to more id photos from you... I need the practice!!!)

Nice one Ruby, after I finally managed to see my first ones last week, today had a good few with it being a nice warm, still day.

But not as good a view as that one.

May be blury but it's far better than I have yet managed with them. So far I have only had fleeting glimpses from quite a distance.

Congratulations on the siting and the photo :t:

Good on ya, I have yet to register a Bearded Tit!

Nice one Ruby on the sighting and the pic, still awaiting my 1st sighting

Well done little crackers and always a joy to behold.

I envy you, Ruby, I spent a long time yesterday on the bird count, with people saying, 'Look, Geraldine, There's one!' I'm thinking of starting a Thread called 'Birds people I've been with have seen! I'm always looking the wrong way, and haven't got a back that allows me to spin quickly round! I'm sure I will see a bearded tit eventually. They look fabulous. Congratulations.
I might add, I've seen birds flying overhead that people have said, 'That's one!', birds in distant reeds that people have said, 'That's one!', and heard them calling. I won't be happy until I see that lovely little face!

"I've been lucky enough to see Bearded Tits once, Ruby, and I would love to see them again."

Birdman - and everyone else with the same wish - come to Strumpshaw Fen Reserve near Norwich, Norfolk. Won't guarantee seeing them, but I'd be surprised if you didn't. Also Marsh Harriers, Bittern (saw one last Friday!), plus Jack Snipe and several more wintering waders and ducks, with lots more at Berney.
Lots of good pubs with food, and helpful people to greet you and point you in the right direction (could even be me).
Look forward to meeting some Forum members soon!

Well done Ruby!!! Bearded Tits are not a species i've been lucky enough to have seen yet. I ALMOST saw one in 1992!!! I was staying with my friend Melanie in Kent and we went to Stodmarsh NR one day. Sadly I didn't see much as it was a bit of a flying visit...Mel and her hubby were more into flowers than birds!We seemed to be galloping along the paths rather than meandering along and looking at everything like I like to do! And at one point I'm sure I saw a small ginger-looking bird fly up and then straight back down into the reeds...i'm sure it was a beardie but as I didn't get a good look then there is no way i'll tick it!!!
One day I know i'll see the species and i'm sure they'll be well worth the wait!!!

Nice one Ruby. I am still hoping to see my first one. :t: :t:

Well done Ruby,

I was one of the people with Geraldine saying "there's one..." so I was lucky enough to get my first bearded tit sighting this weekend too!

Woody

Let me tell you a little bit about my one-and-only sighting...never know, it might help....

I had been banging on for ages about wanting to see one and the 2 best tips I got from some kind BF members were.... choose a windless day (otherwise they'll just stay down in the reeds) and find a good spot where you can hear them and just sit and wait.

The noise Bearded Tits make most often is just like 2 Pound coins being knocked together. Having said that I've spent many a happy hour before this Saturday listening to BTs right in front of me and never seen one!!

When I saw them this weekend, I was actually watching a flock of Goldfinches through my scope, when I became aware of quite a kerfuffle going on much closer to me. Looked down and first impression was that I didn't know what they were - much much paler than I expected - the overriding impression was of a big, whitish chest, when I probably was expecting something mainly chestnut coloured.

There was a little gang of 3 of them and they would come up to the top of the reeds, acting quite excitably before dropping back down again to pop up somewhere else.

A bit later on I saw one flying and they move their wings very fast. To be honest, it looked to me like it was having quite a job keeping air-borne. Not the most effortless or elegant of fliers.

Hope that helps.... Ruby