These
are Kelly's chicks. Although
it is very difficult to see where one chick stops and another begins, the
yellow edges to their beaks do tend to stand out. In this picture we
think you can see seven yellow strips, so there are at least seven
chicks. However, we have never seen more than seven so we must
reluctantly conclude that one egg didn't hatch.
This
is the start of the bluetit's visit to Babe's box. The story starts
when Babe has recently arrived at the nest with food
and is in the process of deciding which one to give it to.
Outside,
a bluetit alights on the roof of the nest box.
Somehow
Babe realises that it's a threat outside and not Ferdinand on the roof.
It
soon becomes clear that this is reconnoitring and is not just an idle visit!
You
can see Babe's reaction! She is probably making a noise too but
unfortunately we can't hear inside this box.
This
bluetit is certainly persistent.
In
spite of what he must be able to see, he actually has the effrontery to hop
down onto the nest box hole in order to get a better look!
Babe
does her best to cover the chicks and make herself look as big as
possible. One chick doesn't seem to get the message that this is an
emergency, and continues to ask for food!
The
bluetit decides that going inside isn't very sensible and pops back up onto
the roof.
Babe
leans forward to try to see where he has gone to.
The
bluetit - is this Carlos? - has probably decided that it's no go - there is
someone occupying the box and they are bigger than he is!
Shortly after, he flies off.
In
spite of the general lowering of the tension, Babe is still very much on her
guard.
A few
seconds later, Babe is contentedly mothering her brood again. It's business
as usual!