Yippee - Long tailed tits in my garden!!

[shivvy]

Just had to share my delight at seeing a bunch of long tailed tits at my bird feeders. They hadn't visited at all this winter until the last few days and they are absolutely georgeous!
The pink blush on their bodies is lovely and their tails make them look quite comical.
I once heard them described as ping-pong balls with extra long handles attached, and it isn't too far wrong!

[Robinia]

Hi shivvy, I can understand why you feel so pleased, they're so cute!
Although I see lots of wild birds I've only seen long tailed tits once in my garden. Luckily I was outside at the time, gossiping over the garden fence, haha. We heard high pitched bird calls & suddenly a large flock of these fluffy ping pong balls (love that description)swooped in & settled in my cherry tree. They moved along from garden to garden & were gone - never to be seen again. :o(

[paddywak]

Lucky you. I've been informed by the boss that as soon as the weather warms up enough to work in the garage my first project is a new bird table (now that our old neighbour has moved and took his 6 cats with him) Max used to chase the cats off but the birds seemed to sense they were in the vacinity and kept clear, but now they are beginning to re-appear in the garden again but they need a new restaurant where we can serve them a variety of goodies

[LoftyLottie]

They are just so beautiful. They usually come and visit me about twice a year and land in the hawthorn tree. I haven't seen any since late last spring though. Hope they come soon.

I just love the ping pong ball description.

Had a flock of fieldfares in the tree opposite my house at the weekend. Amazing to see!!

[sqad617]

Lofty....morning, didnot know that you were an Ornithologist, but did know that chocolate baths were your prediliction LOL..

We have a couple of Hoopoes (Upupa epops) and 2 mating pairs of Red kites...as you say quite beautiful and it is interesting to see the parents of the Red Kites teaching the chicks to fly.

[Jules001]

yes I can understand your excitement too, the first time that they landed in my garden I was over the moon, they have been fairly regular visitors since then, although I haven't seen them for a while, hope they might put in an appearance for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the weekend.

[LoftyLottie]

Squaddy, behave!!!

Yes I am a bird lover, and even help out as a volunteer as a local nature reserve (Hawk and Owl trust) although haven't been able to recently because of back problems :o(. Often have Marsh Harriers flying over our house :o) .

May I be as bold as to ask which island you are on? I envy you seeing hoopoes! I believe they are sometimes seen in the south of England too, but definately not in East Anglia (as far as I know). Saw flocks of bee eaters on a reserve in Minorca. It made my holiday!!

[sqad617]

Lofty.......MENORCA.

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry!! I presume it was my spelling you were pointing out - or are you on MEnorca?

[sqad617]

lofty.....don't understand what your are saying.....MENORCA AND MINORCA.....the same, spelt whichever way you want to.

Was not trying to be clever....honest.

[LoftyLottie]

So you actually live on Menorca!!! I love it there. So peaceful. Lucky, lucky you. North or South? The reserve we were at was in the North near the old capital.

(I didn't think you were the sort to point out spellings! :o) )

[jules77]

My friends house is situated in a clearing in the wood, it is more like an RSPB nature reserve, she has all kind of tits and with her half a dozen feeding stations and hanging feeders, has a constant flow of long tailed tits, great tits, blue tits etc etc. Even had a buzzard the other week. Dont know where all our birds are, think we have too many pigeons around and they are frightened off.

[LoftyLottie]

Apologies shivvy for pinching your thread to chat to Squad!

Going out now to hang out washing - shall keep my eyes open for long tailed tits.

http://www.digiscoped.com/canon/longtailedtit1 .jpg

[sqad617]

Have lived on the Northern Coast...Fornells. the North Eastern Coast Cala Llonga and now the Southern Coast Binixica.

Have had a "place "over her for 20yrs, but retired fulltime in 2001.

Most places have their pluses and minuses and Menorca is no different except for me, the pluses out number the minuses.

I will come clean lofty. my knowledge of birds is minimal, but i saw the chance to show off, so i did.

The reserve that you talk about os probably Es Grau...near Mahon.

Lovely sunny warm day today.

[LoftyLottie]

I have a half acre garden near the reserve, and surrounded by farmland, and it is full of all sorts! Mind you, it is the untidiest garden around because I garden for the birds and have planted loads of bird friendly stuff over the 30 years I have lived there. I seem to be spending a fortune on bird food these days!!

[sqad617]

lofty....are you telling me that you live in Menorca?

[LoftyLottie]

It was on the north coast above Ciutadella

This is a photo I took

http://i42.tinypic.com/2nbewc2.jpg

Recognise it?

Also had a fair few holidays back in the 70's at Cala en Porter (friend had a villa), and spent a lovely week in Binebeca a couple of years ago and managed to drive round a lot of the island. Loved the slow traffic!!

[LoftyLottie]

Wish I did live in Menorca at this time of year Squaddy. Read my first reply to you and you will see I help out on a reserve!!

[sqad617]

Thanks....most of the time we feel lucky living here and yes I recognise the picture.

[shivvy]

I had warmed up a jar of peanut butter in a saucepan, mixed in some wild bird seed, filled an empty feeder and let it cool before hanging it out - and all the birds were going mad for it especially the long tailed ones!

[carrust]

I'll try that one shivvy. I've made a woodpecker feeder by drilling a log with a 22mm drill, & filling the holes with a mixture of melted lard & chopped peanuts.