BIRDS
The nuthatch is an extremely interesting resident of Łazienki gardens because, as the only bird in Poland, it can walk head down. In addition, it uses interesting strategies to defend its nests, which it builds in spacious tree hollows. However, such hollows also have large inlet openings. In order to prevent predators from seizing eggs and chicks, the nuthatch would mix mud with its saliva and build up the opening to the diameter that is necessary for it to get inside. Such extra build up is extremely resistant and even a woodpecker’s beak is not always able to break it. To protect the chicks from flooding in the hollow, the nuthatch lays petals of pine bark at its bottom. The bark acts as a dinghy; when the hollow is flooded, the bark and the eggs or chicks are flooding on the water and tare safe.