Squeaky Toy Much in Evidence

While I watch the nesting activity of the White Breasted Nuthatches, I remain mindful that there are other nuthatches, and the Brown Headeds are much in evidence these days.  One pair is very busy at work at various feeders in one of their periodic pulses of activity.  The BHNs are extremely entertaining as much for their voice as their size: their odd call reminds me of a squeeze toy for dogs, hence my affectionate name "Squeaky Toy".  Are they nesting nearby?  Almost certainly, but probably not in our backyard.  So the feeders it is.  And hopefully we'll see them for a little while longer.

Out For Now

For years I have observed that Brown Headed Nuthatches here come and go.  Around frequently for a few weeks or more, then absent for similar periods of time (or at least not very frequent).  And we are in a lull.  I don't recall seeing one for some time, perhaps since July.  This is not a problem as these delightful rascals always return eventually.  And I would rather see them on a dreary winter day than in the hot summer.  There's something uplifting about watching birds at feeders in the cold times.  As to when the BHNs return I cannot guess.  Let's hope it is soon.

Busy Nuthatch Time

This past week or two has been a busy time for the Brown Headed Nuthatches.  They're working the peanut feeder very hard and as a result I am disinclined to shut it down yet. (I do this in the hot months).  The BHNs always seem to be active at the feeders in waves: busy, then hard to find, then busy again.  Perhaps they are feeding frantically in a nesting effort.  Or not.  I have only seen one bird but they do look identical in pairs!  It's always very entertaining to watch them.  I wonder how long I'll get in this wave?

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.

Feeder #7: Problems to Be Solved

There's one feeder on the main tree that has been rather neglected this winter.  I mean to use it, but am only pulling the trigger very occasionally.  Because of a major problem.  You see, this would be the peanut butter feeder.  And the problem is squirrels.  I shielded the feeder--which otherwise works very well--with a steel cage and thanks to small physical quirks, the squirrels can get just close enough to lick up whatever peanut butter sits out there.  I haven't solved the problem yet, but perhaps that answer will come to me in the right minute.  That said, this is a food I really enjoy putting out as the birds go nuts for it, like this Brown Headed Nuthatch.  Even the cheap stuff from a "big box retailer" makes them very happy.  And this feeder is a good design.  It comes highly recommended!  When I do solve that problem...I will let you all know!

Peanut Butter Back For Now

After the depradations of our squirrel Einstein, I packed away the peanut butter---for a time.  But a New Year's gamble suggested to me that it is well time to try again.  And thus on New Year's Day I slathered the stuff on the feeder...and waited.  Waited for an hour.  One Brown Headed Nuthatch had no problem reconnecting with this popular addition to the diet.  And soon after more birds made the same connection.  That leaves the wait for something more sinister, say, like an attack by a determined squirrel or maybe a raccoon.  It should be interesting to see if my gamble pays off...but gosh, it is such a delight to see birds respond so well to a new food choice!

Aw Nuts.

Peanuts keep moving here at the land of Cary BirdCam, and it's almost time to replenish the stock, for I think, the third time this winter.  But it is a surprisingly small group of birds that have formed the moving crew.  From top of the month photography, I've observed all three of the winter nuthatches (Red Breasted, White Breasted, and Brown Headed), and the rest of the usual suspects (chickadees, titmice, wrens, and Downy Woodpeckers).  So far at least no others have stopped by except out of curiosity.  And blessed be, there are no squirrels in sight either.  Hence we have a relatively economical attractant for some of the most interesting small birds in the area!  Consider adding peanuts! but make sure they are squirrel-safe: two layers of steel might do the trick.  You won't regret the results!

Great Response to Peanuts

The new menu offerings of peanuts (well, new now.  Not new to Cary BirdCam!) have been in place a week and the crowd response has been very good indeed.  Already the small birds like White Breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Brown Headed Nuthatches and Carolina Wrens are all over that feeder and have pulled 25% of the stock.  Best of all, there is no photo evidence of squirrels whatsoever (their depredations on the peanut butter feeder are, however, a different story)  I am beginning to suspect that I may have underpurchased peanuts for the winter.  This food stuff is sure to be another cold weather sensation!

Squeaky Toy Still in the Area

No matter what the weather and conditions have brought us in the past few months, I have been able to depend on regular sightings of the Brown Headed Nuthatch, one of our few truly southeast-only species.  The BHNs may not visit seed feeders frequently, but they are consistent visitors and at least these past weeks have been much in evidence.  They're surprisingly fearless and allow me to be within a very tight sphere, but at the same time they're absurdly funny with their "squeaky toy" call that is very distinctive, and is another tool letting me know they're around.  I am definitely certain to see them a fair amount this winter: our feeders provide a dependable forage when all else is questionable.  We'll have to see if they are joined by more elusive cousins.. say, by Red Breasted Nuthatches!

Small But Brave

Most of our songbirds are skittish creatures, looking about nervously and fleeing at the slightest movement.  I rarely get close to them.  They will get relatively close if I am motionless for a long period of time.  But there are exceptions.  Here's the most striking.  I have tended feeders while a Brown Headed Nuthatch works its favorite spots, and this species tends to regard me with mild interest only.  Today I got within inches of a nuthatch and the bird didn't flinch.  Yet it is the smallest of our visitors!  I let this one go about its business and did what I set to do only after it finished and moved off: always nice to send a message that I am perhaps not a bad guy.  But I am still marvelling at what some species are willing to tolerate!

Looking for Cavities

For our year-rounders, February is definitely a month when nesting gets going.  And I expect these Brown Headed Nuthatches to be in the lead.  They're usually early even when winters are not so mild, and I can't see them holding off too long this mild winter.  The question is even more "where?" than "when?".  Brown Headed Nuthatches nest in small cavities, and we do have some possibilities on the property as well as some potentially inviting nest boxes.  Looks like I need to get out in the next week or so with binoculars in hand to take a census of cavities, and maybe even spot an incipient nest hole.  What a great project for a dreary February day!