The ecology and conservation of the marsh tit in Britain

The Marsh Tit Poecile palustris is one of several British woodland birds to have suffered a serious population decline in recent decades. Its abundance has fallen by almost three-quarters since the 1960s while its range has contracted by a fifth, placing it on the UK’s Red List. Extensive research over the last decade has built upon earlier studies to greatly increase the understanding of Marsh Tit behaviour and habitat requirements, with valuable context provided from elsewhere in Europe. This indicates that the population decline in Britain has occurred alongside an apparent improvement in habitat quality, and despite breeding success remaining high. Attention has now focused on a combination of reduced survival and a loss of woodland connectivity as a plausible mechanism for the decline, although work is continuing to help us to understand how these factors might interact. With a relentless downward population trend and no sign of a recovery, measures are suggested that may help to conserve remaining populations.