[Lefty]

Hi,

You may have already heard, but there have been a couple of bearded tits living in Hyde Park for the last few weeks – the first time they’ve been seen in inner London. I went and saw them at the weekend – my first ever sighting . They are both juvenile females, so don’t have the classic black ‘moustache’ of the males, but still a lovely sight nonetheless and worth taking a look if you’re in London. They tend to be seen feeding in the reedbed near the Diana Memorial Fountain – but their location is generally given away by the massive flock of birders with telephoto lenses!

I didn’t manage to get a photo, as they were lurking towards the back of the reedbed when I visited. I was going to post a link to a website with some great pics, but have been informed my post is "too spamy" for a new user, so afraid you'll just have to Google instead!

If you visit, watch out for the grey squirrels – they run towards you and up your legs (at least they do if you’re carrying food!)

[Jim Walker]

Good sighting Lefty!

Beardies are stunning little birds. Hopefully they'll hang around for a bit.

Any photo's feel free to post away, it'd even be interesting to see the interested parties paying interest to the interesting birds. Or piccies of the crowd.

[Lefty]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply. Have you seen Beardies then and, if so, whereabouts?

If I get any pics I'll post them for you. I just called into Hyde Park on the way back up north from Heathrow. But I'm moving to Surrey next month so, fingers crossed, they'll still be around and I can get some snaps. Probably more likely to be of flocks of birders rather than decent bird photos!

[Jim Walker]

I'll admit to being extremely lucky. I live in west Norfolk and have reserve such as Titchwell, Cley, Holme Dunes and Snettisham in fairly easy reach.

For me the best views have been at Titchwell. They've recently extended the public areas of the reserve so you can now get a better view of the reed beds, so excellent views pretty much all the way round the reserve. Any good birding spots near your your new place? I'd never ever have thought that the centre of London would have such a selective and amazing little bird so I suppose really anywhere has potential.

Sometimes watching the watchers is interesting in itself, especially twitchers! I don't know what you'd call a collection of birdwatchers/twitchers. Any ideas?

[Lefty]

Yes, I am envious of where you live, Jim! Keep meaning to pay Norfolk (especially Titchwell) a visit...hmm, maybe I could go for a long weekend once I'm down in the south.

Birding spots in Surrey? Good question! I'll check this out once I move and let you know if there are any good ones. There are a few Wildlife Trust reserves around. I'm going to be living next to Chertsey Meads (flood meadows) - apparently 108 bird species have been recorded there, so hopefully it'll be productive.

Collective nouns for twitchers? Patrick Barkham in the Guardian suggested a murmuration or an anorak. Or what about a mob, a watch or a descent? Any other suggestions?

Anyway, I seem to have strayed off topic! Anyone else seen any Bearded Tits?

[hascoaching]

They've recently extended the public areas of the reserve so you can now get a better view of the reed beds, so excellent views pretty much all the way round the reserve.

[Lefty]

Thanks, I really must visit.

Off topic, but as Jim was asking - Chertsey Meads is looking pretty good for birding so far. I've seen a lot of the commoner species so far, but today I saw a firecrest for the first time (in this country anyway). I also spent quite a while watching a treecreeper - not rare, I know, but haven't seen one for ages so was pleased. Round here seems to be something of a hotspot for Egyptian geese strangely (and parakeets of course!) I also saw a kingfisher flying along the river (they do exist, cabbage! ) Hopefully they'll be some interesting summer migrants soon - there are also reedbeds here. Haven't explored any further afield yet.

[cabbage]

Thanks, I really must visit.

Off topic, but as Jim was asking - Chertsey Meads is looking pretty good for birding so far. I've seen a lot of the commoner species so far, but today I saw a firecrest for the first time (in this country anyway). I also spent quite a while watching a treecreeper - not rare, I know, but haven't seen one for ages so was pleased. Round here seems to be something of a hotspot for Egyptian geese strangely (and parakeets of course!) I also saw a kingfisher flying along the river (they do exist, cabbage! ) Hopefully they'll be some interesting summer migrants soon - there are also reedbeds here. Haven't explored any further afield yet.

I know what you mean about treecreepers, they're not rare round here either but I always stop to look when I see one. Kingfishers remain as elusive as Selkies riding Nessie round here. I'm assured by everyone they're incredibly common in my local area, these people are all clearly liars, or have been taken in by the great kingfisher conspiracy.

[Lefty]

Maybe this whole forum is a figment of your imagination, cabbage? That would explain the kingfisher lies!

I visited Hyde Park yesterday but the Beardies appear to have gone, perhaps due to the imminent arrival of spring. So no birders to photograph either, I'm afraid - I did try!

Jim has encouraged me to visit Norfolk (not that I needed much persuasion!) so I've booked a short break there - see my other thread. Maybe I'll see some more Beardies there (fingers crossed).