Bearded Reedlings

I only found out about these charming wee birds a few years ago.

I couldn't believe I'd lived all my life in Scotland, and never even knew they existed.

In my defence, they need a very specific habitat and so you are unlikely to come across them unless you actively go looking for them.

It is also hard to believe that such an exotic looking bird can be native to Scotland.

The specific habitat I mention are reedbeds ( the clue is in their name), and one of the best reedbed locations to go and see them is the extensive Tay Reedbeds which can be accessed from the village of Errol, a few miles East of Perth.

If arriving in Errol coming from Perth direction, turn down Gas Brae and park if you can.

Head down Gas Brae on foot, and it turns into a track - follow the track right down to the clearing in the reed beds and wait......

....I have been quite a few times now, and there has never been a day when the Reedlings haven't turned up in this clearing, if for no other reason than the grit tables provided by the RSPB are there and the birds need the grit to help digest the seeds.

There are usually lots of Reed Buntings around, and even if you don't see them, you will hear them.  But you will know when the Reedlings arrive, by their very distinctive but hard to describe call.  It is a sort of "ping, ping,ping" sound - you'll know it when you hear it.

For more information check out the RSPB pages

See the map at the bottom of the page for directions.

See more Bearded Reedling pictures here  ronsharp.co.uk