Concerns raised for crested tits

Crested tit favour Caledonian pine forests and Scots pine

Woodland near Aviemore earmarked for housing provides habitat for a bird experiencing breeding problems, a conservation group has claimed.

The BBC's Springwatch, which started this week, has been reporting a difficult season for crested tits.

However, Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group (BSCG) has advised Scottish Natural Heritage of a nest with young at a site in Carrbridge.

Red squirrel and a rare wood ant have been reported at the same location.

In February, Cairngorms National Park Authority said it was seeking legal advice on the plan to build 117 homes because of the high number of squirrels.

At the time, developer Tulloch Homes said people and squirrels could live side-by-side.

David Sutherland, of Tulloch Homes, said the need for affordable housing in the national park and conserving wildlife could both be met.

A BSCG spokesperson said the crested tits should be protected.

'Hungry mouths'

They said: "We have long known that the Caledonian woodland and associated bog woodland and heath land habitat at Carrbridge provides classic habitat for these charming birds.

"In what seems to be a tough year for crested tits it is interesting that so far they still appear to be doing well here.

"Since last week there appear to be newly fledged cresties about, but adults were still bringing food on Tuesday to young at the nest on the development site that we have been discretely observing.

"The adults have been so busy at this nest they must have a lot of hungry mouths to satisfy."

Crested tits are a resident wild bird and populations are largely confined to Scots pine plantations and Caledonian pine forests in the Highlands.