Video of Nesting Nuthatch

During the summers of 2010 and 2011 we’ve had wrens nesting in hanging baskets (which we’ve not been able to replant because of them). It’s looking increasingly likely that they won’t be back this year as to date we’ve seen no sign of them. This is very disappointing as I was really looking forward to seeing another brood of wren chicks emerging.

However, my disappointment has been tempered by having been provided with the opportunity to see a nuthatch feeding one of its chicks in its nest.

Nuthatches usually nest in holes in trees – perhaps one left by a woodpecker. They daub the edges of the chosen hole with mud to reduce the aperture to keep unwanted guests out.

I learnt that a neighbour had a nuthatch nesting in a tree in her garden. She told me I was welcome to film it, but when I went up with my cameras and tripods to do so I was told that the young had all fledged. However, I decided to set up anyway in case any of the birds came back. As it happens, one of the birds hadn’t yet left the nest and within a minute or two of setting up my cameras (one a Fuji HS20 and the other an HS10 – in HD video mode) one of the parent birds flew back to the nest to feed a remaining chick.

The video clearly captures the birds – the chick and the parent – and at one point, the chick grabs and devours a beetle climbing on the tree just by its nest.

When viewing the video set the options to best quality (480p) and expand the viewing area but not to full screen.