Marsh Tits and Willow Tits: A Major Identification Challenge for Birdwatchers

Cambridgeshire: Have you ever tried to tell a marsh tit from a willow tit? It’s not easy! Bob Jarman once thought they were the same bird. He even gave a talk about it, but it turns out he was mistaken. Richard Broughton, a local ornithologist, has written a book that clears up the confusion.

Richard remembers spotting willow tits when he was a kid in Hull. He also saw both species while working near Huntingdon. These birds are social, often sticking together in pairs. But here’s the kicker: the marsh tit prefers mature woodlands, while the willow tit is now pretty rare in Cambridgeshire.

Sadly, the willow tit hasn’t bred in the area since the early 90s. Its numbers have plummeted by 96% since the 70s! The marsh tit isn’t doing much better, with an 80% decline. Richard says these birds are a sign that something’s off in our woodlands.

He’s noticed that blue tits and great tits are taking over nests, which puts pressure on marsh and willow tits. It’s a bit of a mess, really. Even though they look alike, their nesting habits are different. Marsh tits use existing holes, while willow tits dig their own.

Predation is a big issue too, with great spotted woodpeckers being the main culprits. Richard has been studying marsh tits for nearly 24 years, and he’s seen their numbers drop from 22 pairs to fewer than 10. It’s a tough time for these birds, and we need to pay attention to what’s happening in our forests.