Call for Willow Tit sightings

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Washington Wetland Centre near Sunderland is calling for the public to help monitor Willow Tits in the area.

Information gathered by citizen scientists will inform ongoing targeted conservation work on the reserve. The species has declined nationally by 83% between 1995 and 2017, leaving only an estimated 2,750 breeding pairs in Britain.

Willow Tit, Washington WWT, Durham (Geoff Athey).

The public can help the local Willow Tit population thrive by reporting observations of Willow Tit to the wetland centre. The WWT is interested in sightings on the reserve and in the surrounding area.

John Gowland, reserve manager at Washington, said: "The sharp decline in Willow Tit numbers is believed to be due to habitat loss, nest-hole competition from other birds — such as Blue Tit — and nest predation from Great Spotted Woodpecker."

He added: "Because of its threatened status and preference for ‘wet woodland habitat’, it is a priority species in the centre’s reserve management plan. As such, we're very excited to be undertaking this new research project at what is a crucial time for the species.

"We're asking the public to be our eyes and ears around our centre, the reserve and also the surrounding area."

Whitburn Ringing Group has teamed up with WWT to colour ring as many Willow Tits around the reserve as possible. This will enable members of the public to report birds as individuals, contributing to a new level of understanding of the birds' movements, behaviour and survival. Visitors to the reserve are invited to view ringing sessions in action every Sunday morning up to 11:00 until mid-March, weather permitting.

As well as completing the sighting form available at reception, Willow Tit encounters can be emailed to info.washington@wwt.org.uk or via social media @wwtwashington.