The Thursday volunteer team and I were digging up phragmites reeds near the dipping platform at Northward Hill in order to stock the phyto-remediation pond for the new Septic tank.
Nico, (residential volunteer) heard a bearded tit and being a typical modern youth, he had his iPhone with him and was able to play back a recorded bearded tit call to the reed bed.
Soon we had a male calling and displaying right in front of us and he was shortly joined by a second. It was absolutely lovely.
As the birds didn’t have iPhones with them we weren’t able to talk directly with them.
Steve
What a great experience, thanks for telling us about it Steve.
Of course we must point out that any type of playback must be used with discretion and putting the birds’ welfare first. Playback can disturb the birds, pull them away from their breeding sites (and their young), or disrupt feeding and rest when on migration, but this was an occasion when a great wildlife experience was shared, with responsibility and caution.
Sue