The long-tailed tits are back! These gorgeous little birds first appeared on my garden feeders last year around the same time. They came back periodically for a couple of weeks and then left again – it looks like they’ll be doing the same this year. No doubt the very cold weather we have just now is driving them back to my garden looking for some high-energy snacks to warm up their tiny bodies.
They come in a small flock, at least three of them, sometimes five or six, clamouring for a space on the nut feeder, those long tail feathers poking out in all directions as they manoeuvre for the best spot. I love their round little bodies and pinky feathers, their punky head stripes, and of course the long tails – slightly longer than the rest of their body in fact – which make them rather characterful and give the impression of a much bigger bird than they really are. These pinky, punky little friends can come and visit anytime.
Julianne Robertson 