Nuthatches are fairly uncommon close to where I live but unexpectedly I have previously caught a couple when ringing everyday garden birds like Goldfinch, Dunnock and Blackbird.
Nuthatch
On Tuesday there was a very vocal Nuthatch in the big sycamore in a neighbour’s garden, calling, whistling and generally shouting “this is my territory”. I thought no more about it until sat in the afternoon April sunshine when a bird flew from the said sycamore and landed in an ancient damson tree at the bottom of our unremarkable garden. Yes, the damson tree which hosts a beat up old nest box that is rarely occupied from one year to the next.
So to cut a long story short, I now have two Nuthatches nest building at the bottom of my garden, a very welcome first. Wednesday, and watching from the conservatory the two are still at it but in a less active manner during what is a cold and showery day.
So to cut a long story short, I now have two Nuthatches nest building at the bottom of my garden, a very welcome first. Wednesday, and watching from the conservatory the two are still at it but in a less active manner during what is a cold and showery day.
To put this record into a local context the Nuthatch is far from common in this part of coastal Fylde, where there is a lack of suitable mature woodland, an absence which limits the species’ ability to increase its local population. Although Nuthatches are resident all year round they have a somewhat patchy breeding distribution related to their habitat requirements.
If all goes according to a normal timetable I should BE ringing the youngsters by early to mid-May.
There's more nut case birding very soon. Be sure not to miss it.
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7 comments:
They are a great bird to have around. I have yet to have one in my backyard but maybe one day during a cold winter snap, one will come my way. Glad you enjoyed your sighting. They are wonderful to have around. They like suet a lot!
Beautiful photos, Phil, and the title of your post made me smile. :)
Congratulations. It will be fun to watch the developments. When I saw the title of this piece I thought you had written your autobiography!
Hello, Phil! Cute photos of your Nuthatch! I see ours regularly, they are fun birds. Have a happy day!
My last birding trip I came across Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch. There are 9 nuthatches in our subcontinent and I have barely ticked 3 of them. Beautiful bird and you have captured them beautifully. To observe birds in immediate neighbourhood must be a great experience, especially when over a period of time they reveal their life and breeding patterns.
First - I love the picture of the Barn Swallow, doesn't it catch the eye!
Second - 'nutcase' what a title! So good that you now have these nesting in your garden, and I'm sure it's not that un-remarkable, well it certainly isn't now!
Hope you do get to ring the youngsters during May.
Enjoy your day
All the best Jan
Beautiful shots!
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