Garden wildlife – Part 1 Blue tit

Over the next few days, weeks or at least until I run out of species or find something else to do, I’m going to focus on one species, from my garden, each day to encourage people to look closer at what goes on in their own back yard.

Hopefully with photos, maybe a film clip or two and some fun facts.

I may also talk about the equipment I use to film, watch or take photos.

Day one – Blue tits.

I’ve chosen Blue tits only because they are one of the most abundant birds in my garden and always showing up on the Birdsy camera.

• Blue tits are easily recognisable and are a common bird in the UK, but not found in Shetland or Orkney.
• They weigh around 11g and have a wingspan of 18cm
• Both males and females have a similar plumage although the males are slightly brighter than the females or juveniles
• Their natural habitat is a broad-leafed woodland, but they do nest in gardens
• In woodlands, they nest in a hole in a tree. In gardens, in a box with an entrance hole smaller than 25mm. Although every year there are photos of Blue tit nests in odd places such as post boxes, garden ornaments and even a nest in a drain has been documented
• Blue tits rarely move far from where they hatched
• Life expectancy is 1.5 years
• Blue tits are very agile and can hang from the smallest of branches.
• Years ago, when milk was delivered in glass bottles, blue tits used to pierce the foil lid and drink the cream.

This film was taken using a Birdsy camera

 

Get Your Boots On is available online from many independent book shops or direct from the publisher at Dived up Publishing