We are lucky enough to have a resident treecreeper in our garden, and this time of year when there are no leaves it is easier to spot this inconspicuous little bird.
Treecreeper's are very territorial and never roam far from their patch. They are mostly found in broadleaf woodlands spiralling up the side of a tree, using their long toes to clutch onto the bark and normally round the other side by the time you have your camera out! Picking spiders and insects out from behind the bark as they go.Their pointy tail is strong and helps push them up the tree, but because of their tail they cannot reverse down the tree so often fly once they get to the top. They are solitary little birds rarely seen in pairs unless breeding season between April and July. The male will build a nest behind loose bark on a tree starting with twigs then adding grass, lichen and moss. The female will then add all the "soft furnishings" of feathers, hair and wool before having a clutch of 5-6 eggs. Once the chicks are hatched they are fed on a diet of caterpillars until they fledge. Treecreeper's tend to only have 1 brood a year.
Super little birds! I have my fingers crossed for fledglings in my garden this year. 🤞
(I cannot take credit for this footage. It was taken by the lovely Matt Anstee on a walk we did together before lockdown.)