Date: 3/11/25 11:43 am From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Pygmy Nuthatch, Ramsey C
Originally spotted by Anya Auerbach -(thank you, Anya, for your detailed description of the process)-the Pygmy Nuthatch was still present in St. Paul's Como Park this morning. Another birder's notice gave some of us our first fleeting look; thanks to him, we were encouraged to search again for a better "lifer" look- and for a chance to hear the live, vocal performance alluded to in some of the ebird reports.
As reported, the bird was hanging out with some Red-breasted Nuthatches, among other regular winter residents. However, there was initially little vocaliztation from any of them, and there was frequent interference from traffic. It was fairly "nomadic", in any case, flying tree to tree. Eventually we followed it across Lexington to the hilly area adjacent to, and west of, the pavilion parking lot.
By listening long and hard, we caught a few notes of Red-breasted Nuthatch sound. That drew us to examine the conifers at the top of the hilly area west of the pavilion. Since it had become apparent that the bird is using a variety of conifers, we checked them all for any activity. A couple of us finally got a good look when the bird paused mid-canopy on a branch to pound on a seed, When it took off, it flew back SW toward the parkway, passing close by the little gate structure on the hillside.
Thereafter, several of us followed it, to watch it feeding off cones on the trees right beside the road, and were finally treated to some of its song. This was by 10;00 or so, with the bird continuing to favor the area near the pavilion, on the SE side, south of the footbridge.
Many thanks to all who followed and reported this rarity, and best of luck to others who hope to experience it yet. If nothing else, I hope you get to enjoy the weather, the habitat, and, as I did, the uplifting company of other birders.
