Willow Tit is distinguished from the Marsh Tit by a sooty
brown instead of a glossy blue black cap; the general colour
is otherwise similar, though the under parts are more buff
and the flanks distinctly more rufous. The pale buff edgings
to the secondaries form a light patch on the closed wing.
The feathers of the crown are longer, but this is not an
easily noticed character. However, the more graduated tail
(not square) shows distinctly when spread. The commonest
call is a nasal 'zee, zee, zee,' but the notes of the bird
evidently vary considerably. Occasionally a double note, 'ipsee,
ipsee', is repeated four or five times. For so long the
Willow Tit was indistinguishable from Marsh Tit but was
shown to be a native British species in 1897.
There have been around forty-five Willow Tit reported from S.
Gloucestershire in modern times;
2011: (c.9)
One was seen and heard on Inglestone Common at Lower Woods
Lodge on January 30th about 100 meters along the track on
the left towards the entrance gate/ notice board. The dull
cap, light wing panel and call, a nasal buzzing call were
clearly noted; Four were reported on the North Edge of
Bishops Hill Wood (ST: 733 873) near Wickwar on February
28th; One was both seen and heard on Inglestone Common near
the car park early morning on March 12th; At least three
were seen and heard at Lower Woods near Wickwar on April
20th; One was seen at Lower Woods in the Great Trench area
on July 30th;
Willow Tit at Lower Woods. April 2011. Phil Baber.
2010: (2)
Two records from Lower Woods, Wickwar; one on June 13th and
one on July 25th.
2009: (1)
One was seen and heard at Wetmoor at Lower Moors Nature
Reserve at 15:30 around ST: 745 875 on November 29th.
2008: (2)
On June 26th on Inglestone Common a parent bird was seen
very well at close range, feeding a fledged youngster. Both
birds calling loudly and identification was confirmed on a
variety of features: extent of white on cheeks (no buff area
at rear of coverts), matt black hood, large bib (flaring out
at base), distinct pale panel on wing, formed from light
secondary edges. Thick-necked. Rear of hood appearing more
attenuated. Lack of any pale area at base of upper mandible.
Etc. Diagnostic calls. The birds were in an area of bushes,
away from the main woodland. The parent was gathering
insects at a height of c.5 - 10ft off the ground and they
were watched in bright sunny conditions at close range for
10 - 15 minutes.
2005: (1)
One, a juvenile was reported at Lower Woods, Hawksbury on
July 3rd and again on July 5th.
2004: (1)
An individual was noted on Inglestone Common on April 21st.
1983: (4)
There were four reports of individuals this year but
unfortunately no dates, they were noted at Inglestone
Common, Marshfield, Oakford - St. Catherine and Wick.
1982: (3)
Up to two birds were reported sometime this year from
Inglestone Common and Dunkirk but no dates are available.
1981: (4)
One possibly two birds reported from Littleton Pits,
Inglestone Common, Horton and Oakford - St. Catherine but no
dates are available.
1980: (1)
Confirmed reports of a bird at Inglestone Common but no
dates are available.
1978: (4)
One was reported at Inglestone Common near Wickwar on May
27th with three at the same site on September 3rd; One was
noted at Marshfield on August 11th.
1977: (2)
Two were reported from Inglestone Common near Wickwar on
August 3rd.
1974: (2)
Reports of one and sometimes two from Inglestone Common near
Wickwar.
1973: (2)
Reports of usually single birds but sometimes two from
Inglestone Common near Wickwar sometime this year.
1956: (1)
One was watched feeding in an orchard on January 29th at
Oldbury-upon-Severn.
1955: (1)
One was seen and heard in a hedgerow on February 23rd at
Stoke Gifford.
1954: (1)
On December 24th at Little Stoke one was seen in a hedgerow,
and again near same spot on December 27th; the plumage
details and characteristic nasal call clearly noted.
1946: (1)
A
single bird was seen on September 23rd near Stoke Gifford,
identified by the characteristic nasal call note, was heard
in a hedgerow. Identification was fully confirmed on
September 24th when the observer obtained excellent views
and clearly noted the sooty brown crown, the light secondary
patches and the well marked buffish flanks.
1941: (1)
On February 15th at Sherborne's Brake, Stoke Gifford an
adult was seen near the same spot as the one seen toward the
end of the previous year. The writer's attention was first
drawn to the characteristic nasal call note, and the bird
was later viewed at close quarters (cf. also Proc., BNS
1940, p.96).
1940: (2)
On September 24th at Stoke Gifford, a presumed adult was
clearly identified along a water course at Stoke Gifford. It
was seen near the same spot on September 25th and
subsequently on various dates until October 23rd. Close
views were obtained and, as compared with the Marsh Tit, the
following details were noted: sooty brown crown with little
or no evidence of gloss; well marked light patch on
secondaries; greater extent of white on cheeks and the
generally less smart appearance. The plaintive and drawn out
call often described as the 'tchay tchay' note was always
the same, and at no time was there any suggestion of Marsh
Tit calls. There is only one previous record for the
Gloucestershire side of the City (cf. British Birds, Vol.
XXX, p. 361); One was seen on the 11th December was seen and
heard on the outskirts of Savage's Wood, Stoke Gifford.