An exciting new arrival to our garden feeders in the past few days – a Coal Tit. Initially it can be a little difficult to distinguish from other small tits, but there are a few simple clues that can give you a definite identification of a coal tit.

• Small – no bigger than a blue tit, and possibly a shade smaller.
• White stripe down the back of the head – just visible in the picture above. Marsh and willow tits don't have this.
• No hint of blue or green colouring – just black, white and sandy.