Long Tailed Tit - (Aegithalos caudatus) in the garden

At this time of the year birds begin to move in to gardens, but this year, not as many as normal or so it seems.  This morning we had a nice flock of tits move through the garden which included several Long=tailed Tits, a favourite of mine and it's always a thrill when they are with us. They call constantly and don't stay long.  Research has suggested that the small flocks of Long-tailed Tits are,  in fact, family groups that stay together until the start of the breeding season the following spring.  Last year we had a bird that was wearing a ring so it will be interesting if that bird shows up this year.