It's not a tit

Bearded Tit ‘Panurus biarmicus’
UK Conservation Status: green 
UK Breeding: 630 pairs
Location: Rainham Marshes  
Date: 30/1/19 


When i first got into bird photography i began to realise just how many different birds we have here in the UK, whether it be resident or seasonal. When i was flicking through a bird guide i stumbled across a picture of a Bearded Tit (reedling) and straight away i wanted to find one. I researched the best places to see them and found out about RSPB Rainham Marshes.

After numerous visits to the reserve, i had heard their 'Ping', seen them fly by and also missed them by seconds according to other birders. I've always had a great time at RM and have seen many birds high up my list including a Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier and Snipe but every time has been to try get a glimpse of one of these small, charismatic birds.
The fact that its estimated that there are only 630 pairs i was extremely excited to try and find them.

The Hairy Hawker and I set off along our normal route which doesn't take long to get to one of the hot spots for our target, we approached with caution and stealth, our ears were fixed on hearing the 'ping' but nothing. 
A distant Water Vole was chewing away, the sound of a Heron's wings waving and taking off just behind us and a large flock of goldfinches wintering together flew overhead.
We continued to another spot we had tracked traces of them in the past but again nothing so we decided to just keep going and set out minds on finding a different lifer and maybe head back round once we had finished the circuit once.
Just as we turned the corner, there he was!
With his black eye stripes and small round body he was hopping along the boardwalk feeding happily.
We looked at each other with a sign of relief that the moment had finally arrived, it wasn't exactly where we wanted it, held on to reeds would have been amazing or with a female but we was over the moon and we crouched low with our cameras pressed against our eyes and hit the Shutter Button.

I bought one of RSPB's lovely pin badges that morning and managed to find a Bearded Tit one so pinned it straight onto my rucksack so i could post a story on my Instagram to let my followers know what the days target was, it paid off and we sipped our whiskey to celebrate:


   

 Did you know?  They eat reed aphids in summer, and reed seeds in winter, its digestive system changes to cope with the very different seasonal diets.

 Tomorrow is the last one, I’m sure most of you can guess what that one will be.

 Hoot hoot,

 Bob Horsefield (peckhambirdman)

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