My desire to capture the elegance and distinct behaviour of the Bearded Tit led me to the Leighton Moss Nature Reserve. My research pointed to early morning as the ideal time to observe these charming creatures. With the weather being unpredictable, I relied on the sporadic rays of sunlight that transformed the wetland into a radiant tapestry.
Before I jumped into action, I took time to observe the birds, learning their behavioural pattern around the grit trays. The Bearded Tits seemed to line up in an orderly fashion, each patiently awaiting their turn. I set up my Nikon z50 with the Sigma 150-600c on my tripod, aiming at a spot just behind the trays. This, I believed, would be the perfect stage for their signature performance.
Soon, a male Bearded Tit landed just where I had anticipated. With a shutter speed of over 1/1250s and an aperture of 7.2 on auto ISO, I was ready. I captured the tit in its iconic pose – doing the splits between the reeds. The fleeting sunlight caught his feathered form, making for a truly enchanting photograph.
Technical Details:
Nikon z50 with the Sigma 150-600c set at 600m, Shutter speed over 1/1250s, Aperture 7.2, Auto ISO
Species Name: Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus)
Interesting Facts:
- Despite its name, the Bearded Tit is not closely related to true tits. It’s the only member of its family (Panuridae) in Europe.
- Bearded Tits are named after the male’s long, drooping moustaches, which are actually modified feathers rather than a true beard.
- These birds are acrobats of the reed bed. They’re most commonly seen climbing up the stems of reeds in a distinctive ‘mouse-like’ fashion before flitting to the next one.
- The Bearded Tit’s diet is largely made up of reed seeds in the winter. They also consume insects during the summer months.
Habitat:
Bearded Tits are found in large reedbeds where they can nest and find food. Leighton Moss Nature Reserve is one such place and is one of the best sites in the UK to spot these birds.
