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.

Here in the colonies I have birds doing the same. My ‘guess” is they are looking for food and or eating the buds for food. They only do this in the young tree that
I placed a bird feeder. I shall remove the bird feeder. damn birds!!!