Looking more like a mouse as it busily shins up old trees, the Treecreeper is a very unusual bird. Unrelated to woodpeckers – or anything else for that matter – it is the only member of its genus in the UK, although there are other relatives throughout the world.
The Treecreeper is perfectly equipped for a life exploring the nooks and crannies of old trees, especially those with lots of gaps in the bark where the bird can probe for insect prey with its long curved bill. Its claws are well-developed into grappling hooks which enable the bird to not only ascend vertical trunks but, astonishingly, work its way along the underside of branches. A very stiff tail acts as a ‘third foot’ and the pure white underparts of the bird do not end up stained by the mosses of the trees it is exploring.
The old trees around Rhug Hall provide the perfect habitat for Treecreepers which nest in splits in the trees or behind plates of bark. They are quite fussy and the site needs to enable them, but not any predator, to slip in and out. Very often the nest itself is not visible but tell-tale material can sometimes be seen hanging out.
To ensure the birds always have adequate opportunities to nest in the grounds, some specially-designed treecreeper boxes have been installed. However, these have been comprehensively ignored by the birds, in favour of the existing natural nesting sites, of which there are plenty.
Treecreepers are not strong flyers and remain in the UK throughout the year. Even in the hardest winters the old trees ensure their insect food is always available.
A pair performed particularly well, carrying food in to well-grown young during the recent birdwatching walk, enabling everyone to have multiple views.
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