Chickadees and nuthatches; Littleton

[DuWayne Worthington]

One of the chickadees looked like it was trying to excavate a cavity on the back of a broken branch in a large tree by the house.  It was working on it for about 5 minutes.  I could see pieces of tree falling to the ground.  The mate was nearby hunting food.  Then two nuthatches came flying into the same tree and immediately went over to the cavity.  The chickadee flew to a neighboring branch and watched the nuthatch while it was investigating the area the chickadee was working on.  After a few seconds, the nuthatch flew to another part of the tree and worked the trunk and branches for the next 5-10 minutes.  The chickadee that was working on excavating a cavity then turned and flew away across the street.  I'm wondering if it gave up on that location for a nest or if it will be back.

DuWayne Worthington

Science Teaching Faculty

Valor Christian High School

Influence through Excellence

3775 Grace Blvd.

Highlands Ranch, CO  80126

303-471-3000 x 3278

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