Here is a picture of Freda's chicks as at 11 o'clock this morning. Only three gapes showing so there must be some more chicks down there somewhere!
We mustn't forget Freda in the excitement caused by Sally's chicks fledging!
What's this? It looks as though one of Freda's chicks has died. This shows Freda starting to remove the dead body from the box.
On her way out with the body.
When the chicks are small enough to be carried in this way, the mother bird will always try to remove the body of any chick that dies.
A chick that died when it has become too big for the mother to get through the nest box hole can prove a major hazard to the health of the whole box.
We don't seem to have seen much of Ken recently. This shows one of his few visits to the nest this afternoon.
Another visit by Ken. At least some of the remaining chicks look pretty lively!
This is the first time Ken has brought food for over two hours - what on earth is he up to?
The chicks need a constant supply of food at this time in their lives. I know there are only four of them, but they do need regular attention. They are still too young for Freda to leave them too often.
This is the last time Ken came to the nest today. Freda went out, presumably for food for the chicks, several times before dusk but there was no sign of Ken at all.
I hope he pulls himself together tomorrow!