Bearded Tit

canon400d · November 6, 2013

The weather conditions on Monday morning were perfect for the Bearded Tit or Bearded Reedling as it is known. There are only 30 pairs in the UK and can only be seen in the tall reeds at a location in North Lancashire. They feed on the reed seeds and they need the grit to digest their food.
I waited over a couple of hours along with at least 50 other photographers, when suddenly this cock bird appeared on one of the grit trays. C & C always appreciated.
Bob
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canon400d · November 16, 2013

canon400d wrote: »

The weather conditions on Monday morning were perfect for the Bearded Tit or Bearded Reedling as it is known. There are only 30 pairs in the UK and can only be seen in the tall reeds at a location in North Lancashire. They feed on the reed seeds and they need the grit to digest their food.
I waited over a couple of hours along with at least 50 other photographers, when suddenly this cock bird appeared on one of the grit trays. C & C always appreciated.
Bob
1

2

3

Do you have these wee beauties over the Pond?
Bob

PGM · November 17, 2013

Bob, we probably do somewhere, but speaking from the swamps of Louisiana, I haven't seen any lately. Congratulations on capturing a rare and apparently banded bird. I like the first photos, and I think it would have been improved if you could have shot from a little lower angle and gotten the far side of the grit tray to look parallel to the top and bottom of the frame. And the background of those light reeds competes a bit with the image of the bird. But given that it is a rare bird that swooped in, and that you had to elbow 50 other photographers out of the way to get the shots, I'd say you did darn well!

Best, Pam

canon400d · November 18, 2013

PGM wrote: »

Bob, we probably do somewhere, but speaking from the swamps of Louisiana, I haven't seen any lately. Congratulations on capturing a rare and apparently banded bird. I like the first photos, and I think it would have been improved if you could have shot from a little lower angle and gotten the far side of the grit tray to look parallel to the top and bottom of the frame. And the background of those light reeds competes a bit with the image of the bird. But given that it is a rare bird that swooped in, and that you had to elbow 50 other photographers out of the way to get the shots, I'd say you did darn well!

Best, Pam

Thanks Pam for looking and replying. When I first saw these shots I was somewhat disappointed. I was unable to manoeuvre my camera as everyone was wanting in on the game. I suppose I am quite happy with what I achieved.
Bob

PGM · November 22, 2013

canon400d wrote: »

Thanks Pam for looking and replying. When I first saw these shots I was somewhat disappointed. I was unable to manoeuvre my camera as everyone was wanting in on the game. I suppose I am quite happy with what I achieved.
Bob

I agree! All we can do is make the best of the opportunities presented to us. And to capture this bird is quite something. Best, Pam

puzzledpaul · November 22, 2013

canon400d wrote: »

... // ... When I first saw these shots I was somewhat disappointed. I was unable to manoeuvre my camera as everyone was wanting in on the game. I suppose I am quite happy with what I achieved.
Bob

Considering the circumstances it was probably an achievement to get any sort of shot, especially with those numbers of other snappers around ... and probably younger / fitter + sharper elbows into the bargain

My std response to people that ask me if there's anything 'rare / unusual' around (at my usual venue) is to say that I'm not a bird watcher / twitcher and wouldn't know such a specimen if it landed next to me (I'd know it was different, but that's another story : )

I then tell 'em I'd much rather take (what I'd consider to be) a decent pic of something common (especially if IT was doing something interesting) than a less than satisfactory pic of something rare / unusual.

Highly unlikely I'd have travelled to see this'un in the first place - especially if I'd known the circumstances ... if I had gone, just for the day out, I'd probably ended up taking pics of the other 'togs instead

pp

canon400d · November 22, 2013

puzzledpaul wrote: »

Considering the circumstances it was probably an achievement to get any sort of shot, especially with those numbers of other snappers around ... and probably younger / fitter + sharper elbows into the bargain

My std response to people that ask me if there's anything 'rare / unusual' around (at my usual venue) is to say that I'm not a bird watcher / twitcher and wouldn't know such a specimen if it landed next to me (I'd know it was different, but that's another story : )

I then tell 'em I'd much rather take (what I'd consider to be) a decent pic of something common (especially if IT was doing something interesting) than a less than satisfactory pic of something rare / unusual.

Highly unlikely I'd have travelled to see this'un in the first place - especially if I'd known the circumstances ... if I had gone, just for the day out, I'd probably ended up taking pics of the other 'togs instead

pp

You are quite right Paul I would say that threequarters of them were younger than me. I was told that the reason for such a large number of people present was because this species appeared on TV Autumn Watch and the conditions on this particular morning were perfect for them to appear. Having said that there was only the one pair that appeared.
Bob

puzzledpaul · November 22, 2013

canon400d wrote: »

...I was told that the reason for such a large number of people present was because this species appeared on TV Autumn Watch ...

Certainly lets me off the hook then, Bob - we don't have a telly

pp

kobistar · November 22, 2013

nice

canon400d · November 25, 2013

kobistar wrote: »

nice

I like it Paul. I've just renewed the licence £145 not worth it. Grrrr.

Bob

Bearded Tit

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