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Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Image of day on 01 Apr 2005

A pair of long tailed tits have appeared and seem to be nesting.


Ref: 20050401_p20_1000119 long tailed tit high in tree 2005mar18_16-09-02(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Mar 2011 at 10:35    Image of day on 20 Apr 2011

Long-tailed tits occasionally visit the peanut feeder - this one stopped for a few seconds on the end of the perch in hazy sunshine.


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Image Taken on 16 Feb 2008 at 09:58    Image of day on 14 Mar 2008

Suddenly we have a flock of about 8 long tailed tits visiting our North hedge.


Ref: 20080314_da1_20080216_0958_017 long-tailed tit (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 18 Mar 2009 at 17:50    Image of day on 09 Apr 2009

This long tailed tit has been given an exotic colour by the setting sun. The sky behind it was clear so it appears the 'normal' blue.


Ref: 20090409_db1_20090318_1750_080 long-tailed tit against clear blue sky lit by setting sun(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Apr 2009 at 15:01    Image of day on 17 May 2009

Here he is launching himself at the window to flap against it for a few seconds, back to a perch, rest a few seconds, and off he goes again. He does this whether we draw the curtains, put things in the window or whatever.


Ref: 20090517_db1_20090423_1501_118 long-tailed tit flying towards living room window(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 21 Mar 2008 at 10:24    Image of day on 15 Apr 2008

Unusual pose of a Long-tailed Tit with it's tail pushed out of position by the twigs and feathers fluffed out. Sweet little face.


Ref: 20080415_da1_20080321_1024_039 long-tailed tit in hedge e of arch(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 26 Feb 2012 at 12:34    Image of day on 26 Mar 2012

A pair of Long-tailed Tits have arrived to breed again this year (we hope). We have only spotted one pair for the moment but they are so quick at everything they do there is a good chance we have missed others.


Ref: 20120326_df1_20120226_1234_034 long-tailed tit in willow branches (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 11 Apr 2010 at 06:38    Image of day on 13 May 2010

A little portrait and a mystery solved.
In the entry for 17 May 2009 (image taken 23 Apr 2009) we reported on a long-tailed tit defending his territory from his reflection in the window. He is at it again this year but now we know he has a nest in the hedge right outside. Maybe it is there year after year?


Ref: 20100513_df1_20100411_0638_008 long-tailed tit looking at his reflection in the window(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 30 Mar 2010 at 13:00    Image of day on 13 May 2010

And here a grabbed shot of the nest with the entrance hole on the opposite side to the window. The sphere of soft mossy materials is about 10cm diameter so the bird must curl into a ball to fit inside. You can just see a feather of the bird inside which was not disturbed by this momentary stop along the path.


Ref: 20100513_p34_20100330_1300_108 long-tailed tit nest from north showing feathers of bird inside (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 18 Feb 2011 at 13:21    Image of day on 23 Mar 2011

A few fleeting sightings of Long-tailed tits has been augmented by this bird spending several minutes outside the living room window, affording good views but through double glazing and perpetually shaded by the house. The pink patch of feathers is a lovely highlight on an otherwise black and white bird.


Ref: 20110323_df1_20110218_1321_025 long-tailed tit on blackthorn twig (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 18 Feb 2011 at 13:21    Image of day on 23 Mar 2011

Ref: 20110323_df1_20110218_1321_027 long-tailed tit on blackthorn twig (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Apr 2009 at 15:03    Image of day on 17 May 2009

The tale of the Long-tailed tit (sorry).
Long-tailed tits have been rare sightings until this year when one bird has spent hours each day fluttering at the windows. Presumably he is defending his territory from his own reflection.


Ref: 20090517_db1_20090423_1503_143 long-tailed tit on teasel stem(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 26 Mar 2012 at 09:42    Image of day on 23 Apr 2012

Long-tailed tits are very nervous birds and its a challenge to photograph them when we are 'out and about', as here.


Ref: 20120423_df1_20120326_0942_152+153 long-tailed tit taking off from branch 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 27 Mar 2008 at 10:10    Image of day on 14 Apr 2008

Looks like we might be lucky enough to have long-tail Tits not only beautifying our patch, but breeding as well.


Ref: 20080414_da1_20080327_1010_441 long-tailed tit with beak full of nesting material(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 06 May 2011 at 11:24    Image of day on 08 Jun 2011

The Long-tailed tits continue to catch tiny caterpillars and 'show them to us' outside the living room window. This one looks like it has just spotted the camera. We have no idea where the nest is.


Ref: 20110608_df1_20110506_1124_015 long-tailed tit with caterpillar in beak (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 03 May 2011 at 08:19    Image of day on 02 Jun 2011

Ref: 20110602_df1_20110503_0819_082 long-tailed tit with caterpillar in beak (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 28 Nov 2009 at 13:20    Image of day on 28 Dec 2009

One visited the tree stump some 70m away for a decent portrait.


Ref: 20091228_d35_20091128_1320_047_fb4 marsh tit(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Apr 2008 at 16:04    Image of day on 23 Apr 2008

Many trees have matured enough to start producing seed in the last couple of years, and the seed eaters are becoming regular visitors.


Ref: 20080423_da1_20080408_1604_037 marsh tit in japanese larch with seed in beak(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 24 Nov 2009 at 15:55    Image of day on 28 Dec 2009

In just a few years Marsh tits have moved from seeing occasional individual to regulars - and in this case 2 at once in the same frame.


Ref: 20091228_d36_20091124_1555_063_fb3 marsh tit on perch and another flying under (crop of single frame)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 10 Dec 2007 at 14:09    Image of day on 13 Jan 2008

Lurking in a sunny spot on the south wall of the house and out of the bitter wind, a Marsh Tit casts it's shadow on the wall.


Ref: 20080113_d01_20071210_1409_115 marsh tit standing on russian vine with ivy leaves(r+mb id@576).jpg

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