Willow Tit - 1994

Breeding resident

The Willow Tit was not separated from the Marsh Tit until 1897 so it was unknown to Mathew (1894). W.M. Congreve found a nest near Haverfordwest in 1925 (Lockley et al. 1949) and Lloyd encountered the species twice in Pembrokeshire, in 1931 and 1939. They were found around the Tenby area in 1961 and by 1964 Donovan (1965) was able to note that they were widely distributed, later adding that they were to be found in boggy thickets (Condry 1970). The Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988 found most Willow Tits in boggy thickets, but some occurred in woodland where soft timber was present. Experience suggests an average density of two to three pairs per tetrad and a total county population of about 200-300 pairs.

Local birds appear to be sedentary, not having reached the islands, but a bird showing the plumage characteristics of the Northern race, P. m. borealis, was reported from Nevem on 16 November 1986.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 40

Orange = breeding probable = 30

Yellow = breeding possible = 36

Total tetrads in which registered = 106 (22.2%)

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