Hello! This is a fab piece - may I link out to it from Encounter, the free nature app I’ve created? It’s exactly the kind of accessible but expert content we want to point our users at!
Ah thank you! Yes of course you may - I actually have the app, too! I totally forgot about it in the drama of my house move. Looking forward to exploring it again now you’ve reminded me.
A great writeup about my favourite garden bird, thank you! I always have a few in my garden in the winter and spring, initiating gang wars with the sparrows and great tits, but they always disappear in the summer - I'd love to know where they go!
They are so spunky! I think they mostly eat caterpillars in hedgerows in summer, and tend to become more reclusive as their moulting feathers slow them down somewhat. And I suppose autumn berries also keep them from the feeders, too.
An interesting read Gem, bursting with interesting facts as always. I have blue tits regularly visiting my feeding station. In addition to a few adults there are now the less colourful juveniles also visiting. They often appear late afternoon with a brood of long tailed tits. Soon numbers will increase as they move around the countryside in roving tit flocks. Always worth studying roving tit flocks as occasionally treecreepers, gold crests and interesting warblers tag along.
As an ex ringer I can confirm yes they can hurt when in the hand. They seem to have a knack of finding your little cuts and sores on your fingers. For a real eye watering experience though try handling hawfinches or puffins. Lol
Thank you for this fascinating introduction to the Blue Tit. It's not one I know, since I'm in the US. It reminds me a bit of the Black Capped Chickadee, except with beautiful colors. So interesting about its yellow belly!
Thank you! Next week’s is about the Great Tit, which looks even more similar to the Black-Capped Chickadee. And it’s definitely the most interesting Birdfolk so far… turns out they have a dark side to their nature. I had a lot of fun researching it!
I'm really glad I discovered your account. I consider myself a passionate birder, though I don't often see Blue tits in my area. This was very informative. I usually spot finches, scrub jays, sparrows, chickadees, and squirrels raiding my feeders ;).
After disappearing for a while, the blue tits have been very busy around our garden this week and hanging upside down from the big tree in front of our house. I assume they’re moulting adults because they look just like the one in your photo. I didn’t know about the yellow belly-caterpillar thing!
I can’t tell the adults and juveniles apart at this time of year - either that or we only have one or the other at the moment! Looks like there’s been a good supply of yellow-green caterpillars this year though!
Hello! This is a fab piece - may I link out to it from Encounter, the free nature app I’ve created? It’s exactly the kind of accessible but expert content we want to point our users at!
Ah thank you! Yes of course you may - I actually have the app, too! I totally forgot about it in the drama of my house move. Looking forward to exploring it again now you’ve reminded me.
Brill, thank you! Will go up in the next couple of weeks :-)
A great writeup about my favourite garden bird, thank you! I always have a few in my garden in the winter and spring, initiating gang wars with the sparrows and great tits, but they always disappear in the summer - I'd love to know where they go!
They are so spunky! I think they mostly eat caterpillars in hedgerows in summer, and tend to become more reclusive as their moulting feathers slow them down somewhat. And I suppose autumn berries also keep them from the feeders, too.
I’ve seen a Blue Tit. It’s probably one of my better personality traits tbh
😂 they are a whole (fierce) vibe tbf
An interesting read Gem, bursting with interesting facts as always. I have blue tits regularly visiting my feeding station. In addition to a few adults there are now the less colourful juveniles also visiting. They often appear late afternoon with a brood of long tailed tits. Soon numbers will increase as they move around the countryside in roving tit flocks. Always worth studying roving tit flocks as occasionally treecreepers, gold crests and interesting warblers tag along.
As an ex ringer I can confirm yes they can hurt when in the hand. They seem to have a knack of finding your little cuts and sores on your fingers. For a real eye watering experience though try handling hawfinches or puffins. Lol
Thank you for this fascinating introduction to the Blue Tit. It's not one I know, since I'm in the US. It reminds me a bit of the Black Capped Chickadee, except with beautiful colors. So interesting about its yellow belly!
Thank you! Next week’s is about the Great Tit, which looks even more similar to the Black-Capped Chickadee. And it’s definitely the most interesting Birdfolk so far… turns out they have a dark side to their nature. I had a lot of fun researching it!
Oh, fun! I look forward to reading! 😊
I'm really glad I discovered your account. I consider myself a passionate birder, though I don't often see Blue tits in my area. This was very informative. I usually spot finches, scrub jays, sparrows, chickadees, and squirrels raiding my feeders ;).
After disappearing for a while, the blue tits have been very busy around our garden this week and hanging upside down from the big tree in front of our house. I assume they’re moulting adults because they look just like the one in your photo. I didn’t know about the yellow belly-caterpillar thing!
I can’t tell the adults and juveniles apart at this time of year - either that or we only have one or the other at the moment! Looks like there’s been a good supply of yellow-green caterpillars this year though!
Loving the blue tit nicknames! Great article!