Bluetit Diary    May 2014 (14)

 

 

Tuesday 20th May 2014 (cont)

There are now just three chicks left in the nest box.

Only a few seconds pass before the next chick has a look out of the box.

Is this one about to take the big leap?

This is the last view we have of the chick before it is off.

Five down and two to go!

The last two chicks huddle together for mutual support.

Very soon though, the next chick takes a look outside.  Clearly, he doesn't want to be the last chick in the box.

He looks around.

Help!

Going ...

... going ...

... gone!

So this poor thing is the last chick in the nest box.  Well, one of them has to be! 

I don't think there is much difference between the chicks this year, which is why once one chick left the box, all the others are leaving in rapid succession.

Still, it's a bit lonely in the box by himself for the first time in his short life.

Very soon he, too, flies up and looks out.

He has a short look around ...

... and very soon this last chick takes his first flight too ...

... leaving behind an empty nest box.  Empty, except for an unhatched egg still in the corner where Pippa had placed it.

Soon after, one of the parents made a quick check to see if there were any more chicks to go.

But no - they have all gone for another year.