Got one at last.

Although a long way from being a good photograph it is nevertheless a recognisable picture of Bearded Tits at Leighton Moss.

Those of you who have been watching Autumn Watch will have seen excellent footage of these relatively rare birds. LM is one of their stronghold and I am pleased to report that this year they are doing well with numbers well up.

Their distinctive characteristic is that they eat grit which is used in their stomachs to grind up the seeds which are their main food. They live in the reed beds and RSPB puts up these grit trays right next to the reeds so that they can quickly retreat into hiding if there is any threat.

To have any chance of seeing them you need to be there in good time in the morning. In any case at the moment after all the TV exposure you need to be there early to get a parking space. This morning there was a good crowd of enthusiasts with binoculars and long lenses at the viewing point.