Directly we switched on this morning, we checked that we still had six chicks - and yes we have!
Will today be the day for Box2?
They are less nest cup bound than they used to be. (The bird at the top left of the picture is a chick!)
The chicks are still all there at 2pm and showing no sign of leaving at all! It is now day 21 since the first chick hatched - surely they will fledge today? Some of our broods of chicks have fledged on the 18th day!
They are wandering all over the floor of the nest box though - and that is a good sign!
I hope the GSW doesn't discover them!
There's been lots of wing flapping though - another good sign!
If the woodpecker discovered them now he would find it easy to catch a chick or two. All they would do would be to huddle close to the floor. That's fine when they are in the nest cup, but judging from our previous experience, they seem to have no idea of getting away from the nest box hole.
Six chicks eager for food.
This time both parents have brought food!
Another couple of hours have passed and all the chicks are still in the nest box.
Have they given up for the day, or are they just having a siesta?
Lots more wing flapping.
I think this is probably the first time a chick has taken a look outside!
Another double feed.
Well, it's now half past six (over an hour later) and there is still no serious sign of fledging. It's getting late and we are beginning to get the feeling that nothing will happen until early tomorrow - in which case we have to decide what time to start recording then!
(In case you are wondering, the bird on the exit hole is a parent.)
Then suddenly, a chick flies up to the hole and looks out!
The chick's quite a way out now and one of its parents flies in to provide support and encouragement.
A little bit further ...
... and finally the chicks leaps into the unknown.
The first chick has fledged!