On 2013-04-21 22:16:45 +0100, kay said:

snip

Willow tits and marsh tits are so similar it's not worth trying to
differentiate.
If it's got white on it, it's not a black cap. Coal tits have a white
stripe down the back of their heads which is obvious, and unmistakeable
once you've seen it.

The Devon Bird Atlas says: " Likewise, both the National and Devon
status of Willow Tit appear to have declined further and most local
sightings of ‘black-capped’ tits perhaps now involve Marsh Tit."

I'm pretty sure David's correct and it was a Coal Tit. I'll look out
for it again but as it was a bit obscured by a climbing rose's stems,
we couldn't get a clear look at it. But the Coal tit sounds much more
likely. Thanks, Kay.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk