The first bout of winter has caused more and more birds to appear around the feeding area. There are tits, sparrows, crows, jackdaws, magpies, and jays. Nuthatches have also appeared.

Nuthatches are rare in my area in summer. They have plenty of food in the forest, but the situation changes dramatically as winter approaches. More and more of them appear.

But their appearance itself doesn't surprise me anymore, but their behavior does. They are a very shy bird, and when they see a dog or a human, getting within a few meters is practically impossible – they run away immediately.

During this time, however, the bird becomes increasingly bold, reaching the point of being able to eat from my hand.

Currently, it only allows itself to approach the bench. It watches me and waits for me to throw a piece of peanut.

Interestingly, the nuthatch doesn't eat the nuts on the spot; it doesn't carry them to the nest, but hides them in tree crevices, under the bark, and in various holes in the tree. It behaves a bit like a squirrel that buries nuts.

It's probably too early yet, but in a month the nuthatches should be quite fluffy, and I think they'll be willing to handfeed, as they do every year.