This
nuthatch has given us the once over a couple of times before. I
thought it must be getting late for it to be still investigating nesting
sites, but Elizabeth checked in one of her reference books and nuthatches
don't start nesting until the end of April.
Anyway, the hole is too small for a nuthatch whenever they start nesting!
(According to the RSPB, nuthatches need a 32mm entrance hole and this one is only 28mm wide!)
As it
turns to go, you can see that it has something in its beak - a food offering
for its partner perhaps?
Should we experiment with a bigger nest box hole next year? (I can already hear squeaks from Elizabeth across the room!)
As
well as the nuthatch, this year we have had much more attention than normal
from great tits. This one is having quite a good look in this time -
and according to the RSPB, 28mm is theoretically big enough for a great tit!
We wondered
here if it might go in. A great tit family would make a welcome
change!.
But perhaps it is a fat great tit and felt it was not quite right.
It
was back again at a quarter past six, having another good look.
He
then went up to the top of the box for a good look round.
He's
back again about 8 minutes later for another look
This
time we were sure he was going inside!
It
looks from the outside as if he has squeezed further in than the inside
picture shows. Perhaps the hole
is too small after all?
Another
last visit at seven o'clock but again he doesn't go inside.