A pair of birds - whose nearest relatives live in the high-altitude bamboo forests of Asia - have been found at RSPB Conwy nature reserve in Llandudno Junction.
Two bearded tits were found in the reedbed at the reserve on Monday afternoon (26 April) by local birdwatchers Alex Humprheys-Jones and Julian Wheldrake. It's the first time that the bird has been seen at RSPB Conwy, and more than 40 years since the species bred in North Wales.
"It was exciting news to find a male on the reserve, but then we realised there was a female with him," said site manager Julian Hughes. "The RSPB has been creating and restoring reedbeds in north Wales for the last decade, and this is one of the special birds that we hoped would one day move in. Whether this proves to be the start of colonisation, only time will tell."
Bearded tits are a type of babbler and, despite the name, not related to blue tits and great tits that are common in local gardens and woodland. They are a species of conservation concern, with a UK population of around 550 breeding pairs.
Numbers crashed in the 20th century following wetland drainage and cold winters, though they have never been abundant in Wales, arriving here sporadically from England and the Netherlands during 'irruptions' of young birds in the autumn.
In recent years, Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve – which is owned and managed by the Countryside Council for Wales - in south Wales is the only place where these birds have nested and bred.
A recent survey at the reserve showed there were up to five breeding pairs here, and at this time of year they will be breeding and nesting among the reedbeds, and will stay here all year round.
RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve and gift shop is open from 9.30 am until 5pm every day, for more details contact RSPB Conwy on 01492 584 091 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/conwy