NLRG was formed in 1957 to help in the study of birds in the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society area. There are currently 12 active ringers. Species currently being studied include: Pied Flycatcher, Bearded Tit, Sand Martin, Twite, Goosander, Oystercatcher and Grey Wagtail. Migration has been studied for 28 years at Heysham. We welcome anyone who wants to observe, help or perhaps wish to become a ringer. Photo: A Heysham-ringed Twite on the Mull of Kintyre (thanks to Eddie Maguire)

Monday, 21 April 2014

Pair Fidelity in Bearded Tits

The latest sightings of colour ringed Bearded Tits breeding in our wigwam reed nest boxes at Leighton Moss again shows how pairs remain together through the winter and to the next season if of course they both survive.

 The female is in her fifth year and the male in his fourth. They  were not traced in the breeding season until  May 2013 when they bred together in one of our nest boxes. Bearded Tits are difficult birds to keep track of  because of the  dense reed habitat they occupy but the grit trays in autumn are a good focal point . During October 2013 this pair was
seen together on the grit trays on seven occasions acting as a pair  and this spring they are nesting together in a nest box ca 120metres from their last year nesting site.
John

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