Growing fast ...

30th May 2012
Well believe it or not, the chicks are now 1 week old ! As far as I can see there are definitely eight, I've not managed to find out (yet!) what happened to the other two. Had a bit of scare yesterday, when I thought they may have taken a turn for the worse, as the chicks were looking a bit flat and lethargic, but I guess it was down to the heat, because as soon as it cooled down in the evening, they were full of beans again .. phew ! Looking at the chicks today, it seems that they are developing fast, and some head and wing feathers are already apparent. 
After another warm day, this evening saw the heavens open for a good hour or so, and as soon as it stopped, it became a veritable feeding frenzy, as both Fred & Freda, were returning to the nest every couple of minutes with beaks full of juicy caterpillars. So, I think the chicks will sleep happy and with full bellies tonight !

25th May 2012
Hard to believe that these little ones are only 2 days old, they seem to be doubling in size overnight ! I still can't confirm exactly how many there are, I have definitely counted 8 hungry beaks begging for food, but there could be 9, or even all 10 ! Mum and Dad have been very successful (so far), in bringing in food for their hungry offspring, and seem to be coping well. Hopefully I'll be able to confirm exactly how many chicks there are soon, in the meantime here is a small clip of the chicks with their expectant yellow beaks ..

New life ...

23rd May 2012

Well as predicted, this morning Fred & Freda, have become the proud parents of 7 hatchlings. There are still 3 eggs unhatched, but you may recall, Freda did lay 3 eggs and then disappeared for a few days, before continuing to lay, and I did wonder whether those original 3 eggs would be viable, well it does seem that we have the answer, but you never know tomorrow is another day. Fred has been the doting dad, and is bringing in food regularly, both for Freda and the already hungry little mouths. 

Here we can see Fred popping in to inspect his new offspring, and you can already see the youngsters mouths gaping for food !

Not long now ...

14th May -21st May 2012
Not a lot to report over the past week. Freda has been dutifully incubating her eggs, leaving them only temporarily to stretch her legs, or to seek a quick snack! She is looking a little bedraggled compared to Fred, but he has been out galavanting whilst the expectant mum has spent the last 10 days sitting tight, and carefully tending their future family ! The days of sacrifice will soon be over, the first hatchlings should be appearing any day now, I am expecting to see some little ones by the end of this week at the latest. I'll keep you posted with any news.

Time to wait ...

12th & 13th May 2012
At last, a weekend without rain ! Lots of comings and goings in the nest, mainly for Freda to stretch her legs and for the occasional snack when Fred has failed to deliver! I expect this will be the norm now for a good few days until the hatchlings appear. 
The countdown has begun, and barring any disasters, I am expecting the first eggs to hatch around the 22nd or 23rd May. 

Egg 10 ..

11th May 2012
Well, as predicted, Freda did indeed produce one more egg today, which gives her a total of 10 eggs in her clutch, (going by past experience, I would say that this her lot, but she could prove me wrong!). She has been very attentive, again spending most of the day in the nestbox, tending to and turning the eggs.

Egg 9 !

10th May 2012
Well, as predicted, here is the evidence that Freda has been a busy girl .. A nice big clutch of 9 eggs, someone's going to be busy !!

Freda has spent most of the day in the nest, sitting on the eggs, leaving only briefly to feed, after waiting in vain for Fred to bring her some food !! Judging by this behaviour, it seems like the clutch is complete, and that Freda will now spend most of her time incubating her eggs. However, there is always the possibility that tomorrow may bring egg number 10 ! I'll keep you posted.

Eggs 6,7,8 ??

7th, 8th & 9th May 2012
Not much action to show over the last 3 days ... I am presuming that Freda has continued to lay a new egg each day. However, I cannot categorically confirm this, as Freda has taken to covering up the eggs, so I can't see !! Maybe I'll get a glimpse tomorrow ...

5th egg ..

6th May 2012
Back in the groove now, Freda produces egg number 5 ..

4th egg ..

5th May 2012

After a couple of days getting re-acquainted to her first 3 eggs, Freda has produced egg number 4 ..

2nd May 2012
Well, even though Freda did not come back to roost last night, both she and Fred have been making frequent visits throughout the day ... Fred checks that the coast is clear before Freda returns to check on and turn the 3 eggs ...

Hang on ... What's this ??

30th April 2012
Is she back, or is it a passing visitor ? No, it looks like Freda !! She's checking over the eggs, lets hope they are still viable after the recent cold and wet spell ..

Not looking good ...

27th, 28th, 29th April 2012
Things are looking a bit bleak ... The weather has taken a turn for the worse, and there has been no sign of Fred or Freda for 3 days. The first 3 eggs she laid were left uncovered, and we fear that Freda may have been predated, as she usually returns like clockwork every evening to roost and sit on her eggs ... either that or the couple have abandoned the nest due to the bad weather ... Looks like another failed season ... 

Where have they gone ?

26th April 2012
After laying her 3rd egg, Freda normally returns every night at 1930ish to roost. However, tonight there is no sign of her. Checking back through the recordings, neither Fred or Freda returned to the nest at any time since 0846 hrs this morning ... very strange !!

3rd egg ..

26th April 2012
Egg number 3 safely despatched into the clutch ...

2nd egg ..

25th April 2012
Egg number 2 safely produced ...

1st egg ..

24th April 2012
Look what I've done !! .. Freda produces her first egg ...

22nd April 2012
Freda getting comfy and shaping the cup ready for her eggs ...

21st April 2012 
Nest building continues .. Freda is adding some nice finishing touches !

17th April 2012
Nest building well under way ...

The 2012 season so far ....

Spring is finally here, which once again heralds that time for the birds & bees !!

My NestCam is once again up and running and ready to capture all the action ... fingers crossed !!