Earlier this morning I heard a distinctive “tap, tap, tap” of a beak on metal across the yard, where I noticed a nuthatch investigating the red nesting box that hangs from an oak branch. Some time ago I’d put a metal squirrel guard around the opening so that they couldn’t chew their way in. Well, the nuthatch kept poking at it, probably trying to enlarge the opening, so I went out later and removed it. An hour or so later, now I have a pair, and they’re clearly intent on moving in, once they clear out the box. I think either sparrows or chickadees must have nested their last year, unbeknownst to me, so the box was full of dried grass.

Here you see the White-breasted Nuthatches working together now that the opening is large enough for them to fit through comfortably. Made me feel good to see this. Nature in action.