My First Sighting of a Long Tailed Tit
The other morning, while checking on the hens in the garden and staring absentmindedly out the conservatory window, I spotted a small, round bird bouncing about in the hedge. At first, I thought it was a young sparrow - until I noticed the tail.
It was long. Comically long, especially for such a tiny body. It looked like someone had taken a cotton ball, glued a ruler to it, and set it loose in the garden.
It didn’t stay long, just a few minutes, but that was enough to send me searching the internet to learn more about these beautiful birds.
Turns out, I’d just had my first ever visit from a long-tailed tit.
Small Bird, Big Personality
It’s hard to explain just how delightful it was. Its round little body and oversized tail made it look both elegant and ridiculously cute. It flitted from the electricity wire to the feeder and back again, calling softly with a high-pitched "tsirrup tsirrup", I imagine it was checking in with friends that must be close by.
Apparently, they’re usually seen in family flocks, travelling in noisy, bouncing groups. But this one seemed to be on a solo mission. Maybe it had wandered off or was scouting out food. Whatever the reason, I felt strangely honoured for this brief encounter.
And now that I’ve seen one, I’m hooked.
A Few Things I’ve Learned About Long-Tailed Tits
Of course, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole (or bird hole?) reading about them afterwards. Here’s what I’ve learned:
They’re ridiculously light – Just 7 to 9 grams. That’s lighter than a £1 coin.
They’re expert nest-builders – Their nests are stretchy domes made from moss, spider silk and feathers. Think: birdy sleeping bags that grow with the chicks - how amazing is that?
They help each other raise chicks – If a pair loses their brood, they often pitch in and help raise relatives’ young. Tiny and wholesome acts of kindness.
They snuggle to survive – In winter, they roost together in rows to stay warm, fluffing up into a little bird blanket.
Not technically ‘tits’ – Despite the name, they’re not part of the same family as blue tits or great tits. They belong to Aegithalidae, a separate but closely related group.
A Quiet Visitor, A Big Impression
Even though it was just one bird, and only for a moment, it left a big impression. I always find unexpected wildlife sightings very special.
Now, every time I pass through the conservatory, I find myself scanning the trees and cable, hoping for a return visit. Maybe next time the rest of the gang will join.
Or maybe they won’t. One was enough to get me completely hooked.
Have you ever had a surprise visit from a long-tailed tit? Or another bird that stopped you in your tracks? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Thank you for reading my post – your interest really means a lot to me! If you’ve enjoyed this little segment of my journey, why not join me for more? By subscribing, you’ll have my free weekly newsletters delivered straight to your inbox at 7am every Sunday. It’s the perfect way to start your day with a warm cup of tea (or coffee!) and a cosy read. I’d love to have you along for the adventure. Simply click subscribe, and I’ll see you next Sunday!
Catch up on my last post…
Connect with me on Instagram!
Hey, I’d love to stay connected with you! If you enjoy what I share here, you’ll find even more everyday moments, creative snapshots, and heartfelt musings on my Instagram.
It’s where I share little bits of life, inspiration, and things that make me smile — and I’d love for you to be part of it.
Looking forward to connecting with you there! Take care and see you soon! 🫶✨
They are so tiny and precious; we have seen them in the garden here, but not very often 🌱
I’d never heard of a long tailed tit until it came up on my Merlin app a couple of weeks ago. I’ve still never seen one but now I will be looking out for a cotton ball with a ruler attached. 😁