FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Red-breasted Nuthatch at Feeder, Hampton, TN

[kat92047@xxxxxxx]

I just got back indoors from fillinp up my feeders at home in Hampton, TN. A 
light dusting of snow had fallen earlier this morning but has almost nearly 
melted.

I was putting out black oil sunflower when I heard the little tin horn peeps of 
a Red-breasted Nuthatch. I noticed the little bird visiting my (empty) suet 
feeder. I quickly ran  into the house to get a new suet cake.

While putting the suet cake in the feeder, the nuthatch started descending the 
tree (Blue Spruce) where the feeder is hanging. The nuthatch came within a foot 
of me and waited. I remained motionless for a few seconds, savoring this close 
encounter. Only when I turned to leave did the nuthatch fly off, but only a 
short distance.

I've had Red-breasted Nuthatches in the woodlands around my home on different 
occasions, but this is the first time I've had one at my feeders since I began 
feeding birds in 1993.

This was such a special moment considering the awful news this morning about 
Columbia. I'd been watching the news all morning when I decided to take care of 
the birds and take my mind off this tragedy. And for this little bird to behave 
so fearlessly is just one of those encounters I can carry with me vividly. For 
an instant there I thought the nuthatch was going to actually land on my head 
or arm as I stood motionless watching.

Bryan Stevens,
Hampton, TN


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