FINDING THE BEARDED TIT'S

After the no show by the Bearded tits at Newport Wetlands my good friend and birding buddy Steve Bool was determined to see them before the Winter set in and the weather would restrict our birding outings and our chances of seeing this cracking little bird.

There was news of them showing well at Westhay Moor on the Somerset levels, so Steve once again did the driving as we headed down there to see if we could see them.

When we arrived it was a pretty still day so we were hopeful of getting at least a glimpse of them as they don't like windy conditions and so tend to stay deep in the reeds.

There was a large pond as we walked in to the reserve with some of our resident species of Ducks, the males do look rather handsome after their summer moult.

male wigeon

male gadwall

shoveler 

We went into a place called the Island Hide where we spoke to a Warden who was showing some birders around. He told us that non had shown yet but this was the best area to see them. We waited there for a while but nothing, so we decided to look elsewhere. As we left the hide we heard a metallic pinging as a small bright tawny bird shot straight passed us it was the Bearded Tits. We went back into the hide where they were right in front of us to close even for Steve's scope, they were picking up grit from a post, the grit is put there by the Wardens to help them break down the reed seeds which is a large part of their diet. I managed to get some pics but the reeds were a bit of an obstruction.

male bearded tit

female

They are beautiful little birds especially the males with that bluey grey head and the black moustachial stripe.

They came down on the walkway in front of the hide they didn't seem to mind that we were there at all.

female bearded tit

female and male together

male

We spent a brilliant twenty minutes or so in the company of these great little characters.

After the Beardies had gone elsewhere we moved on, Westhay Moor is superb reserve with lots of great species. We saw a flyover Bittern (no pic I'm afraid) and this Great White Egret looking for food at one of the many hides.

great white egret

We also watched this female Marsh Harrier quartering over the reedbeds.

female marsh harrier

There were lots of different waterfowl species to many to photograph but here are some Canada Geese coming into land.

canada geese

A fantastic morning spent at Westhay Moor and we got to see the Bearded Tits the males are gorgeous.

male bearded tit

Big thank you once again to my best mate Steve Bool for being my chauffeur fairplay he's a diamond although I do buy the coffee and cake :-)

Westhay Moor is a beautiful area on the Somerset levels and it would be great to go down there again perhaps in the Spring, what a place I can't wait.