red-breasted nuthatch

Little Nuthatch working on expanding the opening in this dead tree

I have four of these little dynamos that come to the feeders or to hand feed.

Spotted while on my morning walk through the neighborhood . Likely an irruption

8 years ago from tomorrow, an irruption started with these Nuthatches so I wonder if another irruption is under it's way. If so, be prepared for a few more images of these guys/gals.

I watched this Red-breasted Nuthatch and its mate for 15 minutes, as they peeled bark from a ancient juniper to make a nest.

But i am always delighted when one stops by.

On my last day at the Sea Ranch, my brother and I joined the first half of the annual "Circumambulation". The entire route is about 20.5 miles. We did 10.35 - the hilly ones at the start. I also carried my big camera along. As I often explain, it's a piece of training equipment in two...

I was watching the smaller nuthatch, which appears to be a red-breasted nuthatch though it lacks a distinctive dark eye line, when the noticeably larger white-breasted nuthatch flew in and confronted it. The little guy didn't give up its prize and flew away with it.

From the fall, but figured I'll post this little guy since I saw his cousin yesterday and today. (White-breasted Nuthatch) This little Red-breasted Nuthatch is a little bandit. :)

Yet I don't believe it is an irruption year.

Haven't seen any since the one day I saw these rarities to the South unless it's an irruptive year.

I was not under the impression that this was an irruptive year for these Nuthatches. Last time I saw them was several years ago and at that time we had an irruption. You might see a few more this week as I couldn't stop hitting the shutter ;)

Adrienne has finally finished her first CD of her own songs. Samples at https://www.adriennelovelocksongwriter.com/buy-the-album

This young lady has found she could jump to the container of chopped peanuts in my hand and eat all she wanted. I kinda thought she'd start doing this since she has always come up close and waited for me to finish putting out the peanuts. I love it when the birds know I won't hurt them.

Don't know if this is the same one that was here a few weeks ago or a new one. No talk going around about it being an irruption year like it was 5 years ago. Still happy to see.

..seen this species and I found it today when I looked out my window. Wonder if this means another irruption is due this year.

Shot in vertical/portrait format to emphasize the actual view of it sitting atop the tall snag.

I see this Nuthatch a lot less than I do the White-breasted Nuthatch. It has a much more nasal quality to its call I think.