Ready for take off
This family of fluff are in residence in a tagasaste tree just outside Number 8 Network’s window. After being fuelled by Mum (or is it Dad?) they launch themselves from the branch and try their wings.
From hatching to fledging takes only about two weeks. Both parents feed the chicks after leaving the nest but once Mum starts work on her next nest, feeding becomes Dad’s responsibility.
Photo by David Riddell. Photographic advice by Marley the office cat.
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How cute, would love to see this happen in my backyard! Presently, I have the “next best thing” with parent/s incubating eggs in nest perched on my porch light…yup, a barn swallow family to be, which keep the midges at bay this time of year 🙂
Fantastic. We’re watching Thrush chicks, in a nest on a pillar by the house, build their strength ready to launch into the big wide world. Unfortunately, a dastardly magpie was also watching them this morning!
Talking about swallows nesting in strange places, they perch on my outside light and I wonder if they built there and the light was on long enough might it cause a fire?!!
Also have a mother duck sitting on eggs, anyone want some ducklings? Muscovy I’m told
Hi Judy – swallow nests are mostly mud, so are probably not too inflammable, but there has to be a chance they might overheat the bulb and cause it to blow. If that happens you can always replace it after they’ve fledged. Anyone want ducklings? (Er, we feel we have quite enough wildlife around here at the moment…)