Marsh Tits in Switzerland
When the Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 11.5 cm, 12 g
- Nest box
- 25 mm hole
When to expect marsh tits in Switzerland
The Marsh Tit lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland the Marsh Tit usually nests April–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 Switzerland plants for marsh tits
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, 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.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
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 Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Marsh Tit is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do marsh tits nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 7–9 eggs, incubated for 13–15 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help marsh tits in Switzerland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Bramble, Wild cherry, Crab apple, Silver birch are native to Switzerland 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 Switzerland
Sources
- Marsh Tit — RSPB bird guide
- Marsh Tit — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.