Where are the Willow Tits?
19 Jun 2013
Willow Tits are disappearing at an alarming rate. Breeding Bird Survey results show the population has declined by 79% in the period 1995–2010, and the range is contracting rapidly too. If you type 'willow tit distribution uk' into a search engine, the first two images that appear are maps of the species' range in Britain (and Ireland, from where it is absent). The first map [shown here, left] could mislead you to think that Willow Tit can be found anywhere across southern Scotland, England and Wales. Unfortunately the picture is far bleaker: the breeding season change map from the forthcoming Bird Atlas 2007–2011 [right] shows in black areas where Willow Tit has been lost since the 1988–91 breeding Atlas. If you think you may have seen or heard one, please check the right-hand map before adding it to BirdTrack: Willow Tits are now confined to the areas coloured pink – where they are seldom numerous – and records from other areas need to be carefully documented.
If you're not confident about separating Willow Tit from Marsh Tit, watch the BTO's helpful Marsh and Willow Tit ID video.
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