Bluetit Diary    May 2009 (19)

 

 

Saturday 23rd May, 2009

Only one or two days to go before Bella's chicks fledge!

Before we look at Bella's brood, we take a quick check to see what's happening in Box1.  Fay's chicks look hungry, but that is quite normal at this hour in the morning.  (This picture was taken at 6am!)

All seven of Bella's chicks are here.  They must be well fed as it is only 6.13am!

Will today be the day?

Mum comes in with some food.

I sometime think it looks as though some of the chicks beg for food as a reflex or out of habit rather than because they are really hungry.  They seem to be going through the motions rather than really meaning it.

For example, they are not so hungry that they are willing to leave the comfort of the nest cup in order to get food!

Nearly four hours have passed and it's mealworm time.

I'm not sure what Bella is offering the chicks here.  It looks rather daunting to me.  No wonder none of them is rushing to take it from her!

Now this looks more serious.  The two chicks on the left are clearly keen to have a head start in the food queue.

Let's hope the woodpecker isn't around!

It's now midday and mealworm time again!

That's a chick in the exit hole!  It doesn't leave the box tonight but it'll surely be leaving pretty soon!