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The marsh tit is a small, mainly brown bird which is resident year-round in the UK. It has a shiny black cap, neat black bib and pale belly. Although similar to the willow tit, distinguishing features of the marsh tit include their glossier black cap, neater bib under the chin, a pale ‘cutting’ edge to the beak and their ‘pitchoo’ call, which sounds a bit like a sneeze.
The marsh tit is a red-listed species, protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is a Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. It is most abundant in southern and eastern England and also south Wales but numbers have declined by more than 50% in the last 25 years.
Woodland.
Woodland is important because it is one of our most complex habitats and as such, can support more wildlife than almost any other UK habitat. Ancient woodland which has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD is particularly important, but younger secondary woodlands and even conifer plantations can be important for nature if managed sympathetically.
Despite their name, marsh tits are most often found in large mature deciduous woodlands with a dense, diverse shrub layer. They have an average territory size of four to six hectares so depend on large wooded areas. They feed mostly on insects, seeds and berries, and often store food over winter if they find a good supply. Marsh tits usually nest in existing tree holes such as woodpecker holes rather than excavating their own.
Good management for this species will create/result in well-managed mature deciduous woodland with a dense, diverse shrub layer. Such woodland will also provide habitat opportunities for many other woodland birds, for example, nightingale, spotted flycatcher, willow warbler and willow tit as well as the hazel dormouse.
These illustrations are by an artist taking part in a programme delivered by Watts Gallery Trust and funded by the Michael Varah Memorial Fund. This series of 30 Surrey Hills Indicator Species were commissioned by Surrey Hills Society and funded by Surrey Hills Trust Fund as part of the Making Space for Nature Exhibition.