Bearded tits thriving in Lancashire.
15/01/2007 00:00:00
One of the UK’s rarest birds is making a comeback at RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire, with the help of a few handfuls of grit and some wigwams.
Bearded tits nest in the reedbed at the reserve near Carnforth. The birds are only found in reedbeds, where they nest among the reed stems and feed on reed seeds and reedbed insects. There are less than 500 pairs in the UK and they are one of the country’s rarest birds, and thus are a target for special conservations effort by the RSPB. Leighton Moss is one of only a handful of places in the country where the sparrow-sized birds nest.
RSPB wardens are delighted that around 30 pairs of bearded tits nested at Leighton Moss this year raising almost 80 young. Bearded tits first nested on the reserve in 1973 and the population has had a roller-coaster ride since then. In 2001, there were just ten pairs nesting at Leighton Moss, but thanks to some ingenious conservation action involving grit and wigwams, things are looking up for the bearded tits.
RSPB wardens are delighted that around 30 pairs of bearded tits nested at Leighton Moss this year raising almost 80 young. Bearded tits first nested on the reserve in 1973 and the population has had a roller-coaster ride since then. In 2001, there were just ten pairs nesting at Leighton Moss, but thanks to some ingenious conservation action involving grit and wigwams, things are looking up for the bearded tits.
Bearded tit factfile
- Despite the name, bearded tits are not a member of the Tit family. Also known as bearded reedlings, they are ‘parrotbills’ and are the only member of the family to be found in Europe
- They are sparrow-sized with a long tail and weigh just 15g
- Generally orange in colour, the males has a blue head and black ‘moustaches’ on its cheeks
- They are only found in reedbeds
- Bearded tits pair for life. They lay up to 8 eggs in nests low down in the reeds and can raise four broods in a season
- Bearded tits are very vulnerable to cold weather and their breeding can be much reduced after severe winters and cool, wet summers. Recent mild winters have probably helped the population at Leighton Moss
Bearded tits prefer to nest low down in the reeds, but this makes them very vulnerable to fluctuating water levels and flooding can wash away nests, eggs and chicks. To provide the birds with a safer alternative, wardens build ‘wigwam’ nests - reed bundles tied around a broom handle. The ready-made nests provide the bearded tits with a perfect ‘starter home’, which can also be raised out of harm’s way at times of flooding. Providing the nest boxes helps bearded tits to breed throughout the reserve, even in the wetter areas. The bearded tits have readily taken to these mobile homes, with some pairs rearing 3 broods of chicks in the unusual nestboxes.
Remarkably, bearded tits completely change their diet between summer and winter. They eat insects in the summer, but feed on seeds in the autumn, when they need grit to help them digest the tough seeds. At Leighton Moss, the RSPB helpfully puts out grit for them on special bird tables. It’s good for the birds, and great for visitors, who can watch the normally secretive birds visiting the tables throughout October and early November. Mornings are the best time to watch the bearded tits as they collect grit ready for a day of seed eating and grinding.
Remarkably, bearded tits completely change their diet between summer and winter. They eat insects in the summer, but feed on seeds in the autumn, when they need grit to help them digest the tough seeds. At Leighton Moss, the RSPB helpfully puts out grit for them on special bird tables. It’s good for the birds, and great for visitors, who can watch the normally secretive birds visiting the tables throughout October and early November. Mornings are the best time to watch the bearded tits as they collect grit ready for a day of seed eating and grinding.
RSPB Leighton Moss warden, David Mower, said: ‘We’re delighted that they have had a successful breeding season. The way that the RSPB manages the reedbeds at Leighton Moss benefits a wide range of wildlife, but the reserve’s bearded tits do get some extra pampering thanks to some imaginative conservation ideas.
‘Reedbeds are now a rare habitat in the UK and that’s bad news for birds that have evolved to depend on them, such as bearded tits and bitterns.’
Leighton Moss is the largest remaining reedbed in north-west England. The reserve is well-known for its special birds: breeding bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets. The reserve and visitor centre are open daily all year round (except 25 December).
‘Reedbeds are now a rare habitat in the UK and that’s bad news for birds that have evolved to depend on them, such as bearded tits and bitterns.’
Leighton Moss is the largest remaining reedbed in north-west England. The reserve is well-known for its special birds: breeding bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets. The reserve and visitor centre are open daily all year round (except 25 December).
