This is the first time the bird has been seen in Ireland.
There's been huge excitement in the Irish birdwatching community as the small Penduline Tit has been spotted here for the first time.
The birds, which are identifiable by the "bandit" like black marking across their eyes and red brown band across their backs usually spend winters in the Mediterranean, with the odd "very rare accidental vagrant to the UK", according to
birdfieldguide.co.uk.
https://twitter.com/LGeraty9/status/1609979786545209349?s=20&t=GVZa6ac-qYVmv7bbES6itw
The bird was spotted in Gearagh, County Cork by nature photographer Pascal Lee. Gearagh is a submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve just south of Macroom, and is a popular site for birdwatching.
https://twitter.com/IRSBG1/status/1609989266972737541?s=20&t=GVZa6ac-qYVmv7bbES6itw
Since the sighting, bird enthusiasts from all over Ireland have been flocking to the West Cork reserve to catch a glimpse of the rare bird. The visit from the Penduline Tit has been described by birdwatchers as "a great start to the New Year". Cork TD Christopher O'Sullivan has described the breed as "one of those birds that catch your eye when you open a bird guide book for the very first time".
https://twitter.com/COSullivanTD/status/1610314991072346112?s=20&t=m6YVKeHPGkb9rweke7qBog
Other 'birders' have observed that the Penduline Tit is one of three breeds to have visited Ireland for the first time in the last three months, along with the Alder Flycatcher and the White-winged Scoter.
https://twitter.com/BMcCloskey_98/status/1610344190621130754?s=20&t=GVZa6ac-qYVmv7bbES6itw
Header image via Shutterstock
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