Nuthatch Finds a Morsel

Here's a white-breasted nuthatch. They are common visitors to bird feeders throughout North America. I often see one pick up a seed, fly to a tree, cache the seed in a crevice, and then fly back for more. They also eat insects when they can find them. And they have a quirky way of walking headfirst down trees. 

Found something! Click to enlarge. 

I can't tell what it is, but it looks larval. Good foraging, nuthatch! 

Here's another white-breasted nuthatch striking a more noble pose. Note the cute slightly upturned beak and the pretty red feathers below. 

White-breasted Nuthatches Are Singing

 

I have been seeing and hearing a lot of white-breasted nuthatches in my neighborhood. They are cute little birds with blue-gray on the back, white cheeks, black cap, and a rusty patch on the white belly. It's one of the birds whose distinctive sound stands out in the spring chorus. Click to enlarge.

Males sing in spring to attract mates, using 6-12 nasal-sounding notes that some people hear as ha-ha-ha. Also, both sexes have a call that sounds to me how tiny, fast-talking sheep would bleat, others hear the honk of a little tin horn. Clicking on this sentence will take you to e-bird, where you can select LISTEN to get a list of recordings of the song and call of the white-breasted nuthatch.

New Jersey Parks Open

New Jersey parks opened yesterday with great weather. There are restrictions. Keep your distance, wear face coverings. Parking is limited to half of capacity. If the park is full, come back later or try another. The playgrounds and organized sports areas, picnic areas, visitor centers, and bathrooms are closed. Everyone I passed (from six feet away) was following those guidelines and just enjoying being outside and walking in a park again. 

As Katrina Mayer says: "Time spent among trees is never wasted time."

There's always something to see, like this tufted titmouse.

Or white-breasted nuthatch.

Or an immature red-tailed hawk doing an Exorcist-style 180 degree head turn.

Rachel Carson once said: "There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter." Rancocas Creek yesterday on the verge of a new season. 

Click to enlarge.

In the park with my quarantine curls and homemade mask.