The Bearded Tit mouse, BirdCheck.co.uk

Status and distribution Very patchy range in Europe, much more widespread further east in Asia. In the Western Palearctic breeds in Britain (mainly East Anglia but also elsewhere on the east & south coasts) and at scattered coastal sites from western France to Denmark, more widespread in Germany, including some inland areas and east to Poland and the Baltic States. Further south breeds in parts of central Spain and the Mediterranean coasts of Spain and France and the north Adriatic coast of Italy. More common and widespread in the east in Hungary and Romania, parts of Greece and central Turkey, and in the far east in the Volga Delta.

Most populations are basically sedentary but undergo irruptive movements when birds disperse to other reedbeds. Some may return in spring to original site others form the basis of a new colony. Winter range is similar to but usually rather more extensive than breeding range.

Subspecies Nominate biarmicus is found over most of Europe and the very similar but slightly paler russicus occurs from Austria to southern Russia and Turkey. The darker and more rufous kosswigi from Amik Golu in southern Turkey is probably now extinct.

Habitat The main habitat is large reedbeds on fresh or brackish water, sometimes with scattered trees and bushes.