Nuthatch Feeding – sitta europaea

Well,  the summer is officially over, and,  as we move into autumn,  the post breeding tits, and other small insectivorous  birds,  start to roam  the countryside in flocks.  These flocks find Parkinsons Park much to their liking, with the wealth of cover and food on offer.  Last Friday, when entering the park from the Nethercliffe Road entrance, I could hear the ‘twittering’of such a flock feeding in the tall trees and scrub that borders Kelcliffe House.

Amongst the noise, I was  pleasantly surprised to hear the call of a “NUTHATCH” (sitta europaea). “Superb”, I thought, “a completely new bird for the parks list” !  The bird is a stunning little thing,  not much bigger than a sparrow, but a true Olympian for its climbing prowess, and adorned in red/orange,white,and blue plumage looking rather exotic in Jubilee colours. Other birds in the flock, included blue, great, and coal tits, along with my favorite the long tailed tit. Continue reading →