Birdwatch: bandit-masked nuthatch has a great party trick

Tree-hugger with a 'don't mess with me' expression can be found - uniquely - walking downThere are trees on the flat, wet Somerset Levels. But not enough to attract that classic woodland bird, the nuthatch (Sitta europaea). So I head up to a wooded ridge overlooking the marshes, where these charismatic tree-huggers can be found.Here at the RSPB's Swell Wood reserve, "Mrs Moss's car park rule" applies: that's where you often get great views of birds. True to form, almost as soon as I open the car door, I hear the loud, percussive call of a nuthatch. Continue reading...