蜜芽传媒

In the UK, the crested tit is mostly found in the ancient pine forests of the Scottish Highlands. These small birds spend a lot of their time in the canopy, clinging to tree trunks and branches as they look for insects and pine seeds to feed on. As a result, the crested tit can sometimes be very difficult to spot, depending on the weather and the time of year.

Ecologist and TV presenter Mike Dilger spends several weeks a year in Speyside, looking for a range of Caledonian wildlife - and the "crestie" is always high on his must-see list. Crested tits are known for their striking face stripes and, of course, their unmistakeable black and white crest.

Mike spends more time looking for this bird than any other, and says that the best way to track down a crested tit is to listen out for its call - a distinctive, dry trill.

Presented by Mike Dilger and produced by Jo Peacey. A 蜜芽传媒 Audio Bristol production.

This programme features a recording from Xeno-Canto:
European Crested Tit Song - XC598507 - recorded by Simon Elliott.