Coal Tis Prosper. But Where are all the Blue Tits?

A quick look at the recent catches at two of our feeding stations revealed that Coal Tits have been the dominant tit so far this autumn with 72 caught from late September compared with only 40 Blue Tits. In previous years Blue Tits have been the commonest tit by far. This is reflected in reports from several other feeding stations in the area.

Goldfinch also appear to have had a successful season with 71 ringed during the period. One feature is that many are still in juvenile plumage suggesting late broods.

However one of the re-trap Blue Tits turned up trumps it had been ringed seven years and 221 days previously at the same feeding station and breaks the record for our oldest Blue Tit by 101 days!
John