In the last week I've noticed the yearly phenomenon whereby Blue tits (and some others) can be seen working their along the thin branches of trees and shrubs picking at the newly emerging buds. I assumed they might be eating them, but a bit of research suggests that they are pulling them apart in search of bugs. I wonder how much damage they actually do? Presumably not too much as the small Willow they're particularly fond of in my garden doesn't lack for leaves each year.