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Wild Horizons

@wildhorizons.bsky.social
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Willow Tit protection in Wales, and various other wildlife habitat works. wild-horizons.co.uk/willow-tit

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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Thanks Matt, more trials to follow. Nest finding should be undertaken anyway for monitoring purposes, to assess the state of local populations, study the trends, etc. Not enough time to establish % of protected nests to aim at, the more we protect the better, although specialist training necessary.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Thanks Andy
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Preventing local extinctions is what we need at the moment, until landscape scale solutions are in place and mass bird feeding is phased out. We need more people getting involved in protecting Willow Tits in their local area. We can't be certain if it will ultimately work, but it's so worth a try!
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Lesser Spot Network @lesserspotnet.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Very promising results for protecting Willow Tit nests and good work by @wildhorizons.bsky.social . We love all Woodpeckers, but Great Spots are the culprits here.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
It’s a flexible metal mesh. It’s easiest after the eggs have hatched but sometimes we have to intervene earlier, at the incubation stage. The birds are usually very quick to accept the change but the whole process of installation is very sensitive to the way the birds behave and many other factors.
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MMU - Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Resilience @sbac-manmetuni.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Check out this wonderful guest blog post on Willow tit conservation by our own MMU PhD student @bensecker.bsky.social for @songbirdsurvival.bsky.social www.songbird-survival.org.uk/post/guest-b...
songbird-survival.org.uk
Guest blog: Why are willow tits disappearing from our woodlands?
Guest blog from Ben Secker who is is a Doctoral Researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University studying the willow tit. From SongBird Survival, your voice for songbirds and other small birds in the UK, a specialist charity.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
The last Willow Tit nest of the season now fledged, successfully protected from Great Spotted Woodpecker predation. No GSW predation in protected nests this year, in stark contrast to 100% predation rate by GSW in unprotected nests. Very promising results.
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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Young Willow Tits have distinctive food-demand calls, heard in this clip: a musical 'dee-doo-derr'. Very different from Marsh Tit (sissi-sit). Some adult WT calls here too: a nasal 'nerr nerr', sounds like having an argument with a Yorkshireman. More in the book: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/marsh-tit...
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Always nice to see late nests successful. 8 Willow Tit nestlings now fledged from this protected cavity. They’re being fed by both parents, moving through a beautiful valley that’s in the process of rewilding. Soon they’ll disperse, search for a mate and home range and they’re only a few weeks old!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
It’s a good question. They’re definitely targeting Willow Tit nests and taking nestlings, but as of yet in two seasons on our sites we’ve not recorded GSW take any eggs. It’s a tricky one, as when we see signs of GSW interest around WT nest we intervene to protect the nest.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
The footage was captured when the female was still incubating (late nest). Quite likely GSW will come back as the nestlings grow.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Update: An eerie silence at this nest site today. With the usual footpath access blocked, we could only observe the nest from c. 100 m downhill. A GSW has broken into the side of the cavity, causing another nest failure. In 2 seasons we’ve found 3 nests in this territory, all destroyed by GSW.
A snag in an Ash tree showing a predated Willow Tit nest. A yellow arrow indicates where the birds were entering the nest cavity from the top, a red arrow points to a smashed opening where a Great Spotted Woodpecker has broken into the nest and caused failure.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Over several days, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker has spent more than 8 minutes trying to open up this protected Willow Tit nest. No way into this cavity! Protective mesh guard holding strong.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Thank you
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Another couple of Willow Tit nests have fledged over the last few days. This fledgling wasn’t feeling particularly adventurous at first, looking a little confused that it was suddenly on the wrong side of the hole! So far no predations in protected nests this season.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The Willow Tit nest is in a willow snag, with a mesh guard installed for protection against Great Spotted Woodpecker attack.
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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Nice behaviour capture. At Monks Wood we've found rings of tit broods in Tawny Owl boxes, either caught just after fledging or, like this, just before fledging. Springwatch has filmed Jays doing this at tit nests too.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The last few days in the nest are a dangerous time for Willow Tit nestlings, their constant loud begging calls giving away their location. On this occasion they attracted the attention of a Tawny Owl, which tried its luck as one of the nestlings was calling from the entrance. This was a close call!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Post-industrial sites in Wales are important refuges for many species. This site is no exception - closing down in late 80s, it’s now a mosaic of wet woodland, streams, ponds, meadow and shrubland. Willow Tits, Dingy Skippers, Glow-worms… Myriad species are quietly thriving, with zero management.
Willow Tit perched at nest entrance in an alder snag, in wet woodland reclaiming the land after the closure of colliery.A diverse woodland with a dense understorey, growing on an ex colliery site.Woodland edge habitat with mature trees, shrubs and meadow, on an ex colliery site.A species rich meadow growing on an ex colliery site, with several Orchid sp., Birdsfoot Trefoil, Oxeye Daisy, Ragged Robin, Knapweed, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Yellow Rattle, Wild Strawberry, various Sedge sp. and many more.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
One of 3 Willow Tit fledglings leaving this protected nest, making first steps, hops and flaps into the wild world. A dense understorey is important at this stage, where fledglings can easily hide in cover whilst being fed by their parents and learning to fly.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
A real drama unfolded for this family of Willow Tits today, when their nest (2nd attempt this year) was attacked and cavity opened by GSW, after their 1st nest was predated during the incubation stage. Luckily we found, repaired and meshed it with 3 nestlings still inside, before GSW came back!
Adult Willow Tit with food in its beak perched beside nest cavity in alder snag, the nest protected with mesh to defend against Great Spotted Woodpecker attack. Alder snag with a Willow Tit nest in, the nest cavity protected with mesh from Great Spotted Woodpecker attack. Alder snag with a Willow Tit nest in. A fresh hole has been chiselled open by a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the level of the nest. Willow Tit nestlings could be seen through this hole with a torch on arrival at the nest site! Three Willow Tit nestlings inside a cavity in an alder snag. The hole made by a Great Spotted Woodpecker is now covered with a section of bark and protective mesh fixed around the snag to defend against further attacks.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Willow Tits in Carmarthenshire often share their home ranges with another vulnerable species. This WT nest cavity from last year is the ideal place for a Hazel Dormouse. The abundant and diverse understorey in this wood creates a perfect habitat for this small mammal that rarely touches the ground.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
It’s almost time to say farewell for the season to this amazing pair of Willow Tits, their 8 nestlings due to fledge tomorrow. They’ve made it through attempted Blue Tit eviction, GSW attack, even their own nest cavity falling apart (with a little help from us repairing it). Good luck little ones!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Not this year. All nests are fine so far, some fledged already. We had one situation last year when GSW couldn't enter nest but managed to peck between the wires of the mesh and killed part of the brood, whilst part was saved. Since then the method was improved by changing the type of mesh.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Willow Tit nest protected today in an Ash snag c. 3.5 m above ground. The entrance hole was slightly enlarged by GSW already when we arrived. 19 minutes after the mesh was installed, a male GSW landed on the Ash trunk adjacent to the nest! Now 8 safe nestlings, due to fledge in next 4-5 days.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Good to have Willow Tit nests protected against GSW attacks with mesh guards. It proved invaluable in deterring this Jay that was looking for an easy meal snatching nestlings from this extremely soft and deteriorated snag.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
It’s amazing how quickly Willow Tit nestlings grow. This nest is the smallest clutch of the season, 6 eggs from which sadly only 3 hatched. These clips are filmed 8 days apart, showing the transformation from tiny pink wrigglers to exceptionally cute Willow Tits! They’ll fledge in about 5 days.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Thanks Ed for sharing this story so brilliantly.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Willow Tits fledging thick and fast at present. We’ve had nests fledge on Sunday, Monday, and today we confirmed breeding in a territory by finding fledglings in a family group. Checked in on these nestlings today (c. 13 days old), thankfully in the shade by standing water so should be cool enough.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
It’s magical to be surrounded by Willow Tit fledglings. This one left the nest yesterday morning and is now c. 330 m northeast with 6 siblings and 2 tired parents! Interestingly, they’re just c. 85 m away from another Willow Tit nest due to fledge tomorrow. It’s about to get busy in this woodland!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
This is the most beautiful Willow Tit nest of the season so far. The female is currently incubating a clutch of 7 eggs in an ivy covered alder snag beside a stream.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
There's a protective mesh guard we've installed first, then an outer layer of mossy bark for camouflage. The season is not over yet but so far all protected nests are intact despite GSW visits.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
This male Willow Tit is a Superdad! Last year he permanently injured his leg fighting off a GSW when his nestlings were about to fledge. It’s been wonderful to follow him this year all season, now caring for his 7 nestlings almost ready to fledge. Good luck to him and his family!
Male Willow Tit leaving the nest cavity with a fecal sac.Male Willow Tit balancing on one leg on a branch with a beak full of food for his nestlings.Male Willow Tit perched on a barbed wire fence, with a cranefly in his beak, before feeding it to his nestlings.Female Willow Tit perched on mossy bark concealing protective mesh around the nest cavity, with a caterpillar in her beak, with a nestling almost ready to fledge at the nest entrance.
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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Book discount! Treat yourself this Bank Holiday, there's a whopping 30% discount on my Poyser book on everything you wanted to know about Marsh Tits & Willow Tits - hardback, flexi/paperback and Ebook. Perfect beach reading 😉 www.bloomsbury.com/uk/marsh-tit... #ornithology #ukbirding
bloomsbury.com
The Marsh Tit and The Willow Tit
'A superb account of the ecology and behaviour of two declining bird species whose lives are intimately shaped by their woodland habitats.' – Rob Fuller'There c…
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
It’s lovely approaching a Willow Tit nest and hearing the distinctive “Dee Doo Der” of nestlings demanding food. These 7 are almost ready to fledge, with the parents often feeding them at the nest entrance. It’s hard to even endoscope without tickling them on the head!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
That’s in line with our observations so far, no Grey Squirrel predations or attempts as of yet, though they’re present on most of our sites. Willow Tits perceive them as a threat - when the GS come close to nest sites the Willow Tits go ballistic. One pair chased a GS through Bramble!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
It’s a busy time for Willow Tits. In a couple of hours today, at this nest the pair had to chase off a Blue Tit, Grey Squirrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Marsh Tit. That’s on top of constantly feeding the 7 nestlings inside this (now protected) willow snag, feeding themselves, AND bath time!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Willow Tit nest protection in action. A mossy bark camouflage conceals the protective mesh guard underneath. The Willow Tits continued feeding nestlings within 5 minutes, whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker was foraging in the canopy above. Nest now monitored with a trail camera.
Willow Tit entering nest cavity 5 minutes after a protective mesh guard has been installed and covered with mossy bark.Willow Tit nest with a protective mesh guard fitted around the cavity in an alder snag. A trail camera installed on adjacent tree to monitor the nest site.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
We don't really see many places like this one around the UK and we do need more of them, for sure. We all know the reasons. The point is to let Nature take the lead and stop interfering by chopping, grazing etc. in the name of conservation.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
New Willow Tit nest found today in a completely unmanaged wet woodland, growing on a former colliery for the last 30 years. Beautiful habitat with a dense and diverse understorey. The nest cavity is in an alder snag, with the entrance a metre above the ground concealed under Bramble!
Regenerating post-industrial site with wet woodland. A red arrow points to the exact location of a Willow Tit nest in an alder snag. An alder snag with a Willow Tit nest in dense Bramble.Willow Tit nestlings inside a cavity.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
The cameras have been extremely helpful in documenting evictions, predations, times and durations of events etc. No fledglings yet, generally delayed nests this season at the sites we are monitoring.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Sounds like a good idea!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
This year @birdsinwales.bsky.social kindly awarded us a grant to purchase trail camera equipment. @naturespy.bsky.social have also generously loaned us trail cameras. These cameras allow us to monitor Willow Tit nests at a landscape scale, gathering important data around the clock.
An image of a trail camera with the front open in the process of being set up in a willow copse on a Willow Tit nest. An image showing a Willow Tit nest with a protective mesh guard to stop Great Spotted Woodpecker attack, with a cellular trail camera installed in an adjacent tree. An image of a pair of Willow Tits on the front of a willow snag where they are excavating a nest chamber. An image of a male Great Spotted Woodpecker perched on an alder snag inspecting a Willow Tit nest, just prior to breaking into the nest cavity.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Nice photos Ben and healthy looking nestlings. So far all our nests are behind this one!
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Ben Secker @bensecker.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Managed to spend a few hours this week watching a pair of our Willow Tits bringing a variety of food items to the nest. Mainly caterpillars, but also many spiders, aphids and craneflies. A balanced diet keeping the full brood healthy so far, and should be fledging in the next few days... #UKBirding
A Willow Tit perching with food items in the bill.A Willow Tit perching with multiple food items in its bill.A Willow Tit perching with many food items in its bill, including spiders and caterpillars.A crowded brood of Willow Tit chicks inside the cavity.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Another Willow Tit nest found today, a clutch of 7 nestlings in a willow snag in wet woodland. Interestingly, again there’s lots of moss in the cavity, suggesting there have been some curious goings on in the last few weeks!
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Fascinating Willow Tit nest. Found as a part excavation (c. 25 mm) on 9th April, today there’s a female on 7 eggs. The most amazing part is the moss! Not a typical WT nest material. Most likely Wren took over for a while and filled the cavity with moss up the walls and roof before WTs came back.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Update: The pair of Marsh Tits that pushed Willow Tits out of their first breeding attempt are nesting in an alder snag c. 30 m to the south. 6 nestlings (over 10 days old), cavity c. 1.2 m above ground and interesting that they are in a dead snag rather than a live tree cavity.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Hard to calculate at the moment. We've recorded unfinished nests/eggs/nestlings destroyed by GSW and some WT pairs then continue with breeding attempts, often moving large distances across difficult sites. Also some predation has been prevented by nest protection, these sites are going strong so far
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Yes the snag to the right has a part excavation from earlier in the year. It’s highly unlikely they’ll go again now, particularly as they were at the chick stage. We’re monitoring the site until the end of the season, same with any other sites we’ve seen predations on to find any late last attempts.
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