Bearded Tit, Panurus biarmicus – York Ornithological Club

Local status: Scarce autumn migrant and winter visitor

Bearded Tits breed in the large reedbeds along the Humber, with occasional pairs at other sites inland. In autumn, following a good breeding season they sometimes exhibit an irruptive behaviour, a mechanism by which they disperse to find suitable wintering areas. During these times, birds can appear in reedbeds away from the usual sites. The large, well-watched reedbed at Wheldrake Ings is responsible for most records and has sufficient habitat to sometimes retain birds for several weeks.

Records:
2024: Wheldrake Ings, October

Bearded Tit Wheldrake Ings 6th October 2024 © Duncan Bye

2022: Church Bridge, Melbourne, 18th November. 12 flew over
2022: Wheldrake Ings, 26th October. two
2022: Wheldrake Ings, 9th October, five left NW
2022: Wheldrake Ings, 23rd May. two females
2022: Wheldrake Ings, 29th March & 2nd April. pair

Bearded Tit Wheldrake Ings 2nd April 2022 © Chris Gomersall

2020: Wheldrake Ings, 3rd November, one
2020: Bank Island, 25th October. one

Bearded Tit Bank Island 25th October 2020 © Ben Egron-Reverseau

2019: Wheldrake Ings, 5th October, Seven, 16th October, Two & 18th October, One
2019: Wheldrake Ings, 14th September
2018: Aughton Ings, 3rd December, Three
2018: Wheldrake Ings, 10th October, Six
2017: Wheldrake Ings, 8th October, Two & 12th October, 15 reducing to four on 14th,
2017: Pocklington Canal, Melbourne, 10th & 11th September, Four
2016: Wheldrake Ings, 15th October, Six

Bearded Tit Wheldrake Ings 15th October 2016 © Duncan Bye

2016: Wheldrake Ings, 3rd October, Four
2015: Church Bridge, Melbourne, 29th January. Three.
2014: Melbourne, 4th December. One.
2014: Wheldrake Ings, 27th September. 14. Three on 2nd October, two from 12th to 16th October and another pair on 4th December.

Bearded Tit Wheldrake Ings 12th October 2014 © Duncan Bye

2011: Bielby (in a maize field!), 15th October. One.
2009: Wheldrake Ings, 8th to 11th October.
1999: Wheldrake Ings, 23rd February. One.
1998-9: Wheldrake Ings, 21st November 1998 to 10th January 1999.
1997: Wheldrake Ings, 14th to 31st October. Up to four.
1996: Wheldrake Ings, 19th October to 8th November. Varying numbers on several dates, with the maximum seven on 22nd October.
1995: Bielby, 28th October. Three.
1994: Wheldrake Ings, 16th November. Three.
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 22nd to 28th October. Two (one from 24th to 28th).
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 7th May.
1992: Wheldrake Ings, 6th November (one), 22nd (six), 23rd (eight), 28th (five).
1992: Wheldrake Ings, 7th October. (Possibly same as 6th November).
1990: Wheldrake Ings, 8th November (two), one on 18th.
1987: Aughton Ings, 20th January. Eight.
1986: Strensall Common, 2nd March. Two.
1985-6: Undisclosed site, from 13th November 1985 to 20th Februrary 1986. Two.
1983: Aughton, 2nd November. One.
1983: Wheldrake Ings, 26th September. Eight.
1983: Wheldrake Ings, 18th to 29th March. Two.
1982: Wheldrake Ings, 21st to 24th October. Up to five.
1982: Heslington, 10th February. One.
1981: Wheldrake Ings, 18th October. Twelve.
1981: Wheldrake Ings, 10th May. Two.
1979: Wheldrake Ings, 20th October. Four.
1978: Wheldrake Ings, 18th November. Two.
1977: Wheldrake Ings, 20th November. Four.