16 Comments
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Hilary May's avatar

We call them lollipop birds. They are great to show non birdy people as they are so cute and relatively easy to see once you’ve heard them. We get flocks passing through with other tits, chiff chaffs & goldcrests mixed in. There are birch trees level with upstairs windows which they love. Such a treat to see them. Only downside is as you age you can’t hear the call any more 🙁 find it sad walking with my mum (who’s 81) when she can’t hear them…

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Zabby's avatar

lollipop birds is such a lovely term for them and lucky you for being able to see them so close.

Oh, I didn't know that about hearing, is it because of the pitch? We will have to make the most of hearing their lovely calls while we can.

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Hilary May's avatar

Yes I think it’s because they are so high pitched and you lose that as you age. But definitely enjoy whilst you can. Such gorgeous birds.

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Rosie C's avatar

Oh I love long-tailed tits! They are one of the first birds we really fell in love with when we first started actively birdwatching!! The way they flit around in their little flocks always looks so pretty!

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Zabby's avatar

Totally! I think they are a great one to introduce people to - how could you NOT fall in love with birds if what you're looking at is a long tailed tit?!

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Charlie, from Birdsong Academy's avatar

Counting bumbarrels as they nip across a gap in the hedge - always brightens a dull day.

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Zabby's avatar

Love it! Bumbarrels is such a cute nickname.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

These guys are so cute and I love how they hang out in their gangs!

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Zabby's avatar

The cutest!

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Mel Piper's avatar

Long tailed tits are one of my absolute favourites! It is always such a joy seeing them :D

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Zabby's avatar

Me too! Gorgeous little things.

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Andrew Jones's avatar

Bumbarrels! 😃 We had some stopping by our back garden quite regularly this summer.

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Zabby's avatar

SUCH a great nickname!

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

I love Long-tailed Tits! Yesterday I was watching a flock of about ten of them hopping around in my mother-in-law's garden, delightful birds. I've also been incredibly lucky to see Long-tailed Tits actually building their nests on two separate occasions, which was amazing to see (I kept at a good distance and watched through binoculars and didn't stay too long so as not to scare them).

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Zabby's avatar

Ooooh lucky you Juliet, I would LOVE to see them next building in person! I'll be keeping an eye out along the river...

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

It was an amazing experience!

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