On my recent birthday we travelled to the Tay Reed Beds at Errol, between Perth and Dundee to hunt for rarely seen bearded tits, also known as bearded reedlings. If lucky enough to spot one for the first time ever it would be such a birthday treat. We’d been once before in early spring but it was like looking for needles in haystacks.
However in autumn time the reedlings change their diet from insects to seeds and they need to eat grit to help grind up the seeds in their gizzards. So here at this RSPB reserve a grit table is put out among the reeds which attract these rare birds. The grit table also attracts birdwatchers and wildlife photographers, hoping to see these beautiful birds up close.
We arrived late for the party. As we approached the path to the grit tray we met beaming birdwatchers who told us they had earlier seen up to 15 bearded tits landing on the grit tray. When we got there it was empty. However the birds were still close by. We could hear the chinking sound of the tits flying amongst the reeds and we got tantalising glimpses of orange and light grey. I did some pointing and snapping in the hope of catching one on film. I was surprised to find later that I had photographed a flighty wee red poll!
We went back to watch by the grit tray. For a while the only bird wanting our attention was a tame wee dunnock.
I was about to give up hope when at last a male bearded tit showed up! An excited grin spread across my face, this was what I’d come for. What a striking beautiful bird! Actually the males are not so much bearded but sport long black moustaches!
There are believed to be about 160 pairs at the reed beds according to a recent survey, numbers 20% down on last year though. They are not in any way related to other tits, so perhaps reedlings is a more apt name for them. One chap with an enormous camouflaged lens told me I should have been there early morning, as there were loads of them about. However I told him this one was enough for me.
Which side would you like madam? Is this my best side perhaps?
Was one enough for me? Of course not. I need to go back…early doors…
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 