Today on the Marshes – Coal tit

Pete Lambert Wrote today:

Sorry I haven’t been able to circulate details of all my walks lately.

Today was (for a change) lovely weather for a walk round Tottenham Marshes, with sun and blue sky, and the birdwatching was good too!  Highlight was a coal tit at Clendish Marsh, the first record I’ve ever had here.  I was walking from Stonebridge Lock towards the Car Park, when I heard what sounded like a coal tit calling.  Stopped walking and saw a bird in the trees at the NE of the Car Park which looked the right shape and size, but it was behind twigs and branches and I couldn’t be sure.  Moved nearer and the bird flew, but fortunately perched on top of a tree at the SW of the Car Park and called.  Only got my bins on it briefly before it flew, but enough to see white nape, black bib and pale wing bar of a definite coal tit.  Flew west towards trees at road, but couldn’t relocate it. There’s only been one record before as far as I know, on Feb 20 this year when Ray saw one briefly near the cafe.  Two records so close together suggest this was the same bird.  Given how unsuitable the habitat is here for coal tits, as my David suggested to me, this could be a continental bird rather than a ‘British’ bird.  Collin’s Guide suggests continental birds are more blue on the mantle and less buff on the flanks.  Need more sightings!  Or even photos.

Two other birds seen this morning were firsts for the year.  A great crested grebe seen from the East Bridge fishing in the channel north of the weir, and four redpolls in the trees at the north of Wild Marsh East.  As well, there was passage of single jackdaws NE twice, and siskin and skylark heard calling although not seen.  What with cetti’s warbler singing, little egret south down the Lee Navigation, two greylag geese flying north and two male pheasants, it was a morning to remember.

Pete