Nice Family Group While It Lasts

Among the quaint winter scenes we shall soon see no more are the lively doings of family groups from the previous breeding season.  This group of three Brown Headed Nuthatches will be broken up in the coming weeks.  The togetherness is vital in winter months when birds combine to find food and reduce the impact of predation.  But energies must be directed to reproduction, and territories come with that, so the younger birds will be prodded into evacuating to their own territory.  And at the same time larger gatherings of species---chickdees, titmice, etc. will also break up as the members pursue their own purposes.  It may be the last gasp of winter, in a way.  But it was fun while it lasted.