Marsh Tits in Spain
When the Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) is present in Spain, when it nests, and which native Spain plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Spain
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- March–June
- Size
- 11.5 cm, 12 g
- Nest box
- 25 mm hole
When to expect marsh tits in Spain
The Marsh Tit lives in Spain all year round. Mild, wetter winters host many northern European migrants — Robins, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.
Northern Spain only.
Mediterranean across most of the country, oceanic in the north (Galicia to the Basque Country) and semi-arid in the south-east.
Nesting in Spain
In Spain the Marsh Tit usually nests March–June. Nest site: natural tree hole. Clutches are 7–9 eggs, incubated for 13–15 days; chicks fledge after 17–20 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- Nest box: 25 mm hole. Put boxes up by February and clean them out between September and January.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Spain plants for marsh tits
Of the native plants we track for Spain, these 8 provide food the Marsh Tit uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Insects, seeds and beechmast; hoards food.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts.
- Feeders: Tube feeder.
- A declining bird of mature broadleaved woodland; gardens next to old woods are best.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are marsh tits in Spain all year?
Yes — the Marsh Tit is resident in Spain all year. Northern Spain only.
When do marsh tits nest in Spain?
Typically March–June. Clutches are 7–9 eggs, incubated for 13–15 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help marsh tits in Spain?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Spain and provide food or cover the Marsh Tit uses.
What nest box does the Marsh Tit use?
25 mm hole.
Marsh Tits in other countries
Other garden birds in Spain
Sources
- Marsh Tit — RSPB bird guide
- Marsh Tit — BTO BirdFacts
- SEO/BirdLife — Atlas de las aves en época de reproducción
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.