Had a real treat today when this Long Tail Tit came and landed on this cone, which I would have been pleased with on its own. But when it started pecking at the tree its self I was a bit puzzled at what it was doing. After a while it then started to pull strands of sticky sap from the tree and did this until it had got a beak full. I was lucky enough to get a full set of images, form the pecking and pulling right to the mouth full of fine strands. I would imagine that they use this to help with the nest building.
If any body knows different then please let me know, as I would love to know.
Thanks for looking
Posted by Craig Jones on March 21, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Very good photo guy, i know how 'jumpy' these birds can be, lovely colours,detail and comp
Well Done
Posted by Dave Bartlett on March 21, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Excellent behavioural shot and great detail on the bird. I would imagine that it must for nest building - I've seen them collecting spider web before.
Posted by Dawn Monrose on March 21, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Excellent shot! Yes, I've watched them collecting spiders webs for nest building too, I imagine this must be for nest building too, but I've never heard of it before.
Thanks for the comments and the advice on spiders webs. I have had a closer look at the other images before this one and I think you are quite correct about the spiders web. And not the sticky pine sap as I had first thought.
Superb ! I watched them use feathers last year and will now watch for this behaviour.
Posted by Mike Smith on March 22, 2009 at 11:22 AM
LTT nests are built from feather and held together by spider web
The really amazing thing is how the female manages to get her tail into the tiny globe nests...
Now is a good time to start stuffing spare peanut feeders with cat/dog hair brushings or old bits of wool it helps the tit species no end with nest building
Posted by Craig McCann on March 22, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Excellent capture of a lovely bird. Really nice colours too.
Craig..
Posted by Major Gilbert on March 22, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Good NH shot Guy Loveley bird showing just how resourceful birds can be.
Major
Posted by Brett Lewis on March 22, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Discussion
11 repliesHad a real treat today when this Long Tail Tit came and landed on this cone, which I would have been pleased with on its own. But when it started pecking at the tree its self I was a bit puzzled at what it was doing. After a while it then started to pull strands of sticky sap from the tree and did this until it had got a beak full. I was lucky enough to get a full set of images, form the pecking and pulling right to the mouth full of fine strands. I would imagine that they use this to help with the nest building.
If any body knows different then please let me know, as I would love to know.
Thanks for looking
Well Done
So much detail, great stuff!
The really amazing thing is how the female manages to get her tail into the tiny globe nests...
Now is a good time to start stuffing spare peanut feeders with cat/dog hair brushings or old bits of wool it helps the tit species no end with nest building
Craig..
Major
Brett
Matt