Last week I was out walking with a friend when we stopped to look at some long tailed tits in the trees just off the path. We noticed they were gathering bits of lichen off branches. So we looked to where they were going and to our delight saw they were building a nest in the fork of a nearby tree.
What an absolute treat to see this. Long tailed tits build their nests from lichen and moss. Then they use silk from spiders’ webs to bind and shape them. This makes the nests quite elastic so that there is stretch room once youngsters hatch from eggs. Amazing!
Peekaboo!
Apparently they then line the inside of the nest with feathers for extra cosiness.
I did some research and found out that they construct a complete dome shape with only a small entrance and exit hole. So this week I went back to the nest and saw that it was indeed now complete. It was perfectly camouflaged with the rest of the tree so I would never have known it was a nest if I hadn’t seen it being built.
These long tailed tits are incredible master builders. Perhaps in a month’s time there will be some baby long tailed tits emerging from this nest! I’ll be keeping watch, but from a distance so I don’t disturb them,
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 
HI Sarah
These are brilliant photos I love long-tailed tits.
I don’t know if my reply went to you from your last message.
I was mentioning the unusual behaviour of 2 long tailed tits that have been on my emerging maple in a pot by the patio windows. They fly at the glass and peck and sit on the ledge and peck. I wondered what the noise was the first time and had to get up and look. I did wonder if they were after insects or spiders’ webs. I am getting super close up views of them!
Regards, Catherine.
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Hi Catherine,
That’s super that you’ve got long tailed tits in your garden. I’ve seen blue tits pecking at the shed window near where their nest box is. Sometimes they see their reflections and try to see the competition off!!
Isn’t nature wonderful?
Sarah
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Hi Sarah
Nature is amazing and now you say it I have heard that about birds seeing their own reflection.
I recall you like kingfishers and I have had 3 sightings recently. Twice in the Loggie park near the changing rooms on my way home. Last week I walked 4 Primary 7’s to a nursing home and in Bishopbriggs park one flew in front of us near the stream and bridge! The children were a bit surprised by my excitement!
Catherine
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Hi Catherine,
Thanks for the tip about the kingfishers, I havent seen any for a long time. Where is the Loggie Park, is that in Bishopbriggs?
My email is sarah.thurlbeck@gmail.com Send me a wee email. it’s good to be in touch with you,
Best Wishes,
Sarah
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