Marsh/willow Tit? Elveden Forest, uk (1 Viewer)

[Tog]

Seen in Elveden Forest, centre parcs UK. We have been having debates, we have had suggestions of black cap, coal tit, but I'm settling on marsh/willow Tit, would someone be kind enough to confirm that is the case please?

 

[dwatsonbirder]

It would be particularly unusual for a blackcap to come to seed in the spring summer (if at all), and you can safely exclude this on the presence of the black bib too (amongst other features). Coal tit can also be excluded (no wing bars or suggestion of a white nape), which leaves you with Marsh and Willow (as you've deduced!). There appears to be a fine white ridge along the cutting edge of the bill, which is generally a pro Marsh tit feature, and can confirm the ID along with the location - sadly Willow tit is extinct in the Brecks.

 

[Tog]

It would be particularly unusual for a blackcap to come to seed in the spring summer (if at all), and you can safely exclude this on the presence of the black bib too (amongst other features). Coal tit can also be excluded (no wing bars or suggestion of a white nape), which leaves you with Marsh and Willow (as you've deduced!). There appears to be a fine white ridge along the cutting edge of the bill, which is generally a pro Marsh tit feature, and can confirm the ID along with the location - sadly Willow tit is extinct in the Brecks.

Thank you very much for your detailed and thoughtful reply, it is very much appreciated.

 

[Earnest lad]

In addition, as far as I can tell, there is no pale wing panel. That is a pro-marsh tit feature too.