The
chicks are no longer bound to the nest cup. At one
stage we noticed three chicks in a heap outside the cup, although there are
just two here.
They are clearly quite at ease there and appear to be taking a nap.
When
food arrives, it suddenly becomes an entirely different story. Here
you can clearly see all seven chicks clamouring for food. Fluffy
appears to be ignoring the two in the corner as any sensible mother
would. She doesn't want to encourage the chicks to stay long in a
place that is within reach of a woodpecker!
After
she goes, all the chicks settle down again. Some stretch and extend
their wings as they do.
You can see how much their wings have developed. Soon they will be flying!
The
chicks are just starting to flap their wing in a purposeful way.
Here
is an even bigger wing flap!
Whenever
food appears, however, everything else is forgotten. By the time they
are about to fledge, the chicks will look so fierce, a parent must feel like Daniel entering the lions' den whenever
it brings food to the chicks.
Almost
a perfect ring of seven chicks all facing outwards.