Bearded Tits and Grit

Bearded Tits have been showing well on the grit trays at Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve. Almost all of the birds are colour ringed as part of our study of the ecology of this very restricted and attractive species. The colour rings allow us to identify individuals. Some birds come only once or twice during the autumn but others have been recorded gritting almost every day. One male- (colour ringed yellow on the left leg and red over purple on the right) is one of these and he comes almost every day and tends to dominate the table often chasing other males off. The gritting season starts in late September when usually only adult birds are present. Birds of the year are not present until the middle of October. Numbers visiting gradually decline into November. The best time to see the birds is from 08.30- to 10.00. on a calm morning. This morning 10 were present . To date 38 different birds have been recorded visiting the grit tray this year.The oldest bird identified this year is in its 5th year. In previous years up to 97 different birds have been identified at the trays. They need grit in their gizzards to grind up the hard reed seeds which make up the bulk of their winter diet.