The diminutive,
eye-striped, lesser known cousin of the familiar White-breasted nuthatch is
making a big showing this fall throughout New England .
Typically found in sandy, pine forests of Cape Cod
and higher elevations the Red-breasted nuthatch (known to birders as the “R.B. Nut”)
is expected to have a “winter irruption” this year. Irruptions, unlike
migrations are not annually occurring movements but rather population shifts
caused by environmental factors such as food availability. This is to say when
there is a bad pine cone harvest R.B. Nuts move south into areas where food is available.
Each winter Southern New England may have an
increase or decrease in a number of species from common birds such as Blue Jays
to more uncommon visitors such as Red Crossbills and Evening Grosbeaks. One of
this year’s irruptive species is the Red-breasted nuthatch. Watch for these
birds among stands of pine trees or feeding from the suet feeder. Listen for
there comical “toy, tin horn” call, a nasally “meep-meep-meep.” For more on
irruptive winter species visit Ron
Pittaway 's Winter Finch Forecast.
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