by Lesley McLaren
A month after suspecting a nuthatch was visiting a nest hole, (my blog of 30th April) I returned to see if anything was happening there.
The bracken had grown up considerably since my first visit, acting as an umbrella over my dog as we navigated the narrow track. Brambles and gorse also made progress slower this time. It seemed much quieter generally than last time. With the breeding season well underway now - territories established and mates chosen - there is less for birds to sing about and more work to be done feeding young.
On reaching the glade, I was again careful to keep well back from the tree, and settled myself into a semi comfortable position, still and quiet. With the camera on maximum zoom, I immediately saw an adult outside the hole, with a beak full of grubs. After it flew off again, I was stunned to witness this:
A month after suspecting a nuthatch was visiting a nest hole, (my blog of 30th April) I returned to see if anything was happening there.
The bracken had grown up considerably since my first visit, acting as an umbrella over my dog as we navigated the narrow track. Brambles and gorse also made progress slower this time. It seemed much quieter generally than last time. With the breeding season well underway now - territories established and mates chosen - there is less for birds to sing about and more work to be done feeding young.
On reaching the glade, I was again careful to keep well back from the tree, and settled myself into a semi comfortable position, still and quiet. With the camera on maximum zoom, I immediately saw an adult outside the hole, with a beak full of grubs. After it flew off again, I was stunned to witness this:
Fledgling Nuthatches from Lesley McLaren on Vimeo.
For the few minutes I was there, I think at least four juveniles either left the nest or, like the last one in this clip, thought better of it.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to notice a couple of juvenile great spotted woodpeckers looking out of their nest the day before they fledged. To arrive, once again, at the very moment these nuthatches were fledging, struck me as highly unlikely. There's serendipity and serendipity. Most birds don't return to the nest after fledging, but I wondered if nuthatches might be different. Had they used it as a roost the previous night, and simply been having a lie-in? Internet research hasn't definitively answered that. It's possible. However, they still seemed a little unsteady on their legs and wings.
Today, in the same general area, but on the main piste, I watched two adults (presumably) investigate a couple of old woodpecker holes. If our village council hadn't strimmed a fire-break last year, I would probably never have seen them:
A few years ago I was lucky enough to notice a couple of juvenile great spotted woodpeckers looking out of their nest the day before they fledged. To arrive, once again, at the very moment these nuthatches were fledging, struck me as highly unlikely. There's serendipity and serendipity. Most birds don't return to the nest after fledging, but I wondered if nuthatches might be different. Had they used it as a roost the previous night, and simply been having a lie-in? Internet research hasn't definitively answered that. It's possible. However, they still seemed a little unsteady on their legs and wings.
Today, in the same general area, but on the main piste, I watched two adults (presumably) investigate a couple of old woodpecker holes. If our village council hadn't strimmed a fire-break last year, I would probably never have seen them:
My book says nuthatches breed between April and July, so it's possible these two are late setting up home compared with the other family. Both holes in this tree seem way too big for them, but apparently they're good at conversion projects, and pack mud around the entrance until it's a perfect fit. This site also seems rather close to the track for their comfort - "location, location, location", applies as much to birds as humans - but I shall continue to look out for them whenever I pass by.
