We were rather fearful that the wet summer with the resulting high water levels at Leighton Moss may have resulted in poor survival for the Bearded Tits. The high water levels submerge their favourite feeding area- the reed litter. However yesterday a total of 36 birds were either caught or identified from their colour rings at the grit trays. A quick check through our ringing returns showed that of 49 free flying young birds marked in spring and early summer no less than 40 have been recorded this autumn- and there may be others yet to come. Of the ones caught yesterday their weights were well up to average and quite a few had visible fat in the tracheal pit.
In the 2000-2001 winter Leighton experienced its wettest autumn and early winter with water levels very high for almost 3 months. The breeding population of bearded tits dropped from a record 65 pairs in 2000 to just 7 in 2001. So you can appreciate our concern at the present high water levels. However the water is dropping rapidly now -lets hope for no more heavy rain.
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