Marsh/Willow Tit - Forest of Dean, 1 December (1 Viewer)

AlanR

Bird photographer

• Dec 2, 2009

• #1

This bird at the Cannop Pond stoneworks was feeding at a Nyjer seed feeder usually frequented by Siskin.
Is it a Marsh Tit or a Willow Tit, please?
Alan

 

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J

JamesA

Crap Birder

• Dec 2, 2009

• #2

Sticking neck out - marsh tit for me.

 

DaveN

Derwent Valley Birder

• Dec 2, 2009

• #3

Marsh for me (I think).

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Dec 2, 2009

• #4

Me too

 

AlanR

Bird photographer

• Dec 2, 2009

• #5

As always I am impressed with the speed of responses.
I'm disappointed but not surprised.
Thanks.
Alan

 

luke

A Welsh birder in Dorset!

• Dec 2, 2009

• #6

the feeders in the cannop area nearly alway have Marsh tit, i dont think willow tit have been seen around the feeding stations there.

 

Bowland Birders

Well-known member

• Dec 2, 2009

• #7

AlanR said:

This bird at the Cannop Pond stoneworks was feeding at a Nyjer seed feeder usually frequented by Siskin.
Is it a Marsh Tit or a Willow Tit, please?
Alan

Click to expand...

Marsh Tit.

There is a good article in British Birds this month (Nov 2009 Vol 102 pg 604-616) by Richard Broughton, which draws attention to a feature that was new to me. Check the 'whitish marks on proximal area [base] of upper mandible' on this bird, which is apparently 'lacking on 96% of Willow Tits' and 'appears to be the single most reliable and objective physical feature for separating Marsh Tits and Willow Tits'. He goes on to mention that 'it may be very difficult to see in the field [but] it is often readily apparent in photographs'. It is certainly obvious on this bird.


BR, Mike