Marsh Tit - 1994

Breeding resident

Mathew (1894) described Marsh Tits as common residents which were very numerous around his home at Stone Hall, although it should be borne in mind that Willow Tits were not separated from Marsh Tits until 1897. Regarded by Lockley et al. (1949) as a "fairly common resident, even in the exposed west", today Marsh Tits breed in deciduous woodland throughout Pembrokeshire, and hence their distribution is patchy. They were twice found occupying old Willow Tit nest holes during the Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988, an ability that has permitted them to extend their range into willow and alder carr. An estimate of three to four pairs per tetrad in some woodland plots gives a probable total breeding population of about 500-700 pairs.

They usually seem not to wander far outside the breeding range, but have nevertheless reached the islands, with singles at Skomer on 8 November 1961 and 23-31 October 1989, and at Skokholm on 12 October 1988.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 65

Orange = breeding probable = 61

Yellow = breeding possible = 46

Total tetrads in which registered = 172 (36%)

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire