Two years ago Nuthatches nested in one of my boxes and raised three chicks. Virtually every day since then they have visited the feeders and one of the pair takes sunflower hearts and the other peanuts. Lovely to watch but difficult to photograph because they do not stay still very long.
However, very sad today, a Nuthatch arrived and struggled to stay on the perches near to the feeders. It did not look particularly healthy and I eventually found it on the ground underneath and picked it up. It had its feathers puffed out, its tail down and its beak was gaping. Put it up in a Pyracantha bush but I guess it will be dead in the morning.
I just hope it was not one of the pair but I have my doubts as it knew where the food was but could not eat it. Hopefully another will arrive overwinter and maybe they will use the nest box next year.
