The Marsh Tit is on the Red List of UK birds, those that are in decline and in need of special concern and are on the list because of one of the following factors:

Globally threatened

Historical population decline in UK during 1800–1995

Severe (at least 50%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years, or longer-term period (the entire period used for assessments since the first BoCC review, starting in 1969).

Severe (at least 50%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years, or the longer-term period

Therefore when ever I see one it is a treat and a real pleasure and to get the chance to get good photos makes it even more special. Today, in true obsessive style, I returned to Chard because yesterday I had seen a pair visiting a feeding station placed on the edge of the wood.  Because of the poor light I hadn’t managed to get a decent photo. Today I did! I took my flash unit which allowed me to get a shot in the low light conditions. It is not the most photogenic of settings but still a nice piccie! 

Another bird which I like but funnily enough, I haven’t seen many of so far this year, is the Coal Tit. They  have been almost absent from my garden so far, whereas last year they were without doubt, the most common visitor to my feeders during November. They are a very quick little bird, smaller than a Blue Tit and some would say not as pretty, but I do not agree, I adore them!

Then of course, there are the Nuthatches seen and photographed yesterday. Today it was a bit more of a struggle with me having to juggle the flash unit and get the bird in frame. Coupled with that, my lens is now faulty. The internal motor is not connecting properly. It has really got to me. I will have to replace it at great expense, which I can hardly afford. But, at the same time I can not afford to put my life on hold until I scrape the money together. I did manage a nice close up of them though despite the difficulty.

On the reservoir its self, there was no sign of the Red Throated Diver for me although I had been told by several people that it was about somewhere. I visited the opposite end of the Reservoir and had a pretty good hour watching the Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and a Yellow Wagtail. I really must return with the chair hide and sit it out in the bushes to get some shots of the Grebe which are a “great” bird not just in name!
I got this tremendous opportunity to take an in flight shot and did pretty well considering my lens was playing up.