At this time of the year birds begin to move in to gardens, but this year, not as many as normal or so it seems.  This morning we had a nice flock of tits move through the garden which included several Long=tailed Tits, a favourite of mine and it’s always a thrill when they are with us. They call constantly and don’t stay long.  Research has suggested that the small flocks of Long-tailed Tits are,  in fact, family groups that stay together until the start of the breeding season the following spring.  Last year we had a bird that was wearing a ring so it will be interesting if that bird shows up this year.