An essential part of this project is knowing, roughly, how many willow tits are actually in the area. To do this we have to perform willow tit surveys, using playback techniques to mimic the call of the willow tit, and if an answer is heard, then a GPS tracker is used to mark precisely where the willow tit is heard on the map, and at the same time, vegetation recordings taken.
Mark Champion, a leading expert of willow tits in the UK, came to Cadishead to lead a willow tit survey training day for a group of volunteers. After a slightly shaky start, and a mystery disappearance of a pen drive containing the power point presentation that Mark hoped to use to deliver his presentation, he then went on using the power of improvisation, giving a highly informative 90 minute talk about the work of the willow tit project all over the North West, explaining the methods of the surveying, and the plight of the willow tit itself.
We then headed outside for the second half of the day, onto Little Irlam and Cadishead moss, to put the theory Mark discussed into action, using mp3 speakers to play the willow tit call.
Pens were poised, ready to mark the GPS position. But the willow tits decided not to answer today, so pens remained poised throughout! A thoroughly enjoyable and informative day though, and with volunteers signed up to carry out the future surveys, we should soon have a better idea of where our willow tits are around the area.
Although the sun was firmly away for the day, Spring showed it’s face in flower form, namely the vibrant golden double-flowered Narcissus, harbouring a rain-shy six legged critter or two.
We now look forward to finding out where our willow tits are, with the help of some kindly volunteers. With a better picture of where and how many are in this area, we will be able to see on the map which areas need bigger green corridor areas to help further spread the willow tit population.
The Willow Tit Project 