Thursday, May 17, 2012

survivors



It has been hard going in the tit box. Only two out of five chicks that hatched have survived, probably because of the cold wet weather. Both parents seem to be able to find ample insects to feed the chicks. They have grown substantially and are now covered in downy feathers. They are beginning to flutter their wings to strengthen the flight muscles and no doubt will fledge soon. The lanes are now lined with cow parsley that lends them a graceful air despite the miserable weather.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness sad for the loss!
Tara

Anonymous said...

What has happened to the ones that didn't survive?

Our great tits at school seem to have disappeared. Could the babies have fledged already?

Lisa

Spot said...

I'm not sure. They disappeared in the first week. It was very cold and dull and I think the parents could only feed two. They fledge at about three weeks so maybe your brood has left the nest recently. I think it has been a hard year for these insect eating birds.