A juvenile nuthatch exploring the garden

I was delighted to see this nuthatch today as they haven't been visiting so regularly this spring. We normally have a pair that seem to breed each year but I was worried that they hadn't survived the winter and possibly bird flu. Quite a few species seem to be less prevalent this year.

I think this is a juvenile nuthatch as it seemed to be eyeing up the territory, and the sunflower feeder a few yards away, from this vantage point that several birds use – an old dead rhus tree halfway down our garden. It is also unusual that it alighted on the top of the branch at this angle, as it generally likes to be looking downwards.