Bearded Tit

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Large reedbeds (E. England).
Diet: Insects, reed seeds.
Best time to spot: "Pings" in the reeds.

When to look

Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Bearded Tit sits in our Uncommon tier for the UK: regular, but you usually need the right place or the right season. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Bearded Tit is on the list:

• RSPB Leighton Moss
• RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• BitternRare · Large reedbeds
• Common CuckooUncommon · Reedbeds
• Common NightingaleUncommon · Dense scrub (S. England summer)
• Common Reed WarblerUncommon · Reedbeds (summer)
• Great Black-backed GullUncommon · Coast
• Great White EgretUncommon · Marshes

Kit that helps

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