Nesting Nuthatches

I used to get nuthatches visiting my garden when I lived in Hampshire. I love the way they scale the sides of tree trunks, which they descend headfirst and the underside of branches. They have a distinctive look and stance, like mini woodpeckers with their long black pointed bill and black stripe across their head and eye. They are a beautiful slate blue above and almost chestnut beneath.

Now that I spend a lot of time in woodland settings, I get to see and hear these beautiful little birds quite regularly. The added bonus is of course watching them select a suitable nest hole to use for the coming breeding season.

I have my mossy log to sit on at a respectful distance and enough fallen tree branches to help camouflage my presence. I managed to sketch one individual making preparations to the nest hole entrance. It kept on working its way around the entrance, removing unwanted bits of bark and debris. It spent a long time repeating this pattern, which allowed me to sketch it without too much urgency. I love it when wildlife obligingly stays in one place for a while, for I’m not the quickest sketcher.

A week or so later, it was joined by its mate and I had the privilege of sketching the pair as they filled the hole with a variety of leafy nesting material.