The Nuthatch

Jan’s favourite bird of the moment is the Nuthatch, simply because they have only just started to feed in her garden

Nuthatch is derived from the Middle English “Nuthak”, which means “nut hacker”, a rather fitting name since the bird displays behaviour of stuffing and cracking nuts in the crevices of tree trunks

This plump bird about the size of a great tit resembles a small woodpecker.  It is blue-grey above and whitish below, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail

Several Nuthatches are known as a jar, They are the only UK bird to climb headfirst down a tree or bird feeder

Jan, however, has a confession.  When she first saw this bird happily feeding on her sunflower seeds, she wasn’t sure what it was so she texted a photo to her Mum for confirmation.  Jan can’t decide what has pleased her more, having a Nuthatch in the garden or knowing that her 90 year old Mum has embraced modern technology!!

Photograph by Matthew Stadlen