Last Four Baby Blackbirds

[Barmaid]

the next four baby blackbirds are fledging today. three have left the nest one is still in it.

I can see this being more stressful that the previous two because the three that have left are ALL on the ground. I've had to move two of them so far which mum wasn't terribly impressed about.

So far our score is Blackbirds 8 Cats 0 - so I'm going for 100% success rate.

[Tilly2]

Good luck with that, barmaid. How are the little hedgies?

[Barmaid]

Didn't see them last night, it was too dark by the time we got home, Tilly but the food I put out has been taken.

You lot will have to entertain me today whilst I am on sentry duty.

[888sally888]

Good work Barmaid - thank goodness for people like you full of kindness!!

[Tilly2]

They look so funny bobbing around without tails, don't they? It's amazing how quickly the tail feathers grow though, almost overnight.

[Barmaid]

The cats don't think I am being very kind, Sally. They are confined to barracks with a litter tray.

One has just made it to the top of the poly tunnel. If he can just get into the tree above it, he should be OK. But then he fell off into the chicken pen so I had to shoo the chickens off and shut them out of that area.

I think they are quite ugly at this stage Tilly, but cute with it.

[humbersloop]

how long does it take them to fledge BM?

[excelsior-1]

hello barmaid

so, what would you like to talk about - to keep you entertained?

[Barmaid]

It'll be another week to 10 days before I can really breathe a sigh of relief Humbers. But they get stronger by the hour - hopefully by the end of the day they'll at least be off the ground or in a "safe" place cos I cant sit out here ALL day. Mind you, once the cats have gone to bed for their morning siesta I can relax a bit more. I just have to keep an eye open for next door's cat, but I normally hear him before I see him.

[Barmaid]

lol excel. I'm actually being quite entertained by Mum and Dad Blackbird atm. I think Mum has forgiven me for moving her babies - she did go a bit nuts. But she's just been for her morning nibble and chirruped at me.

[Ann]

How absolutely nerve-racking BM, we had some baby bluetits one year which decided to leave the box in a violent thunderstorm before they were really ready, they couldn't really fly and got so soaked and bedraggled. OH climbed a ladder and managed, with my help passing them to him, to put them back in the bird box (we got soaked too!) and an hour later were delighted to see a grateful Mrs Blackbird continue feeding! They fledged 3 days later, we were so proud!

[flump1]

How lovely BM, keep up the vigil. I like blackbirds, we have one that visits for feeds but we haven't been adopted . I like their song too. It might well be a long day, it will be worth it.! Keep us updated.

[Barmaid]

It is nerve wracking - this lot don't seem quite as strong as the last 8. Although I don't know why - there has been an abundance of food and water given to them.

I've just picked the caterpillars off my caulis for them. lol

[humbersloop]

to me, that's a surprisingly long time for a young creature to be vulnerable, but there must be method in it

as an aside, on another thread last night I was going to suggest the little hedgies are named once bitten and twice shy, but thought better of it ;)

[Barmaid]

*Chortlesplutters*

here's a pic

http://i43.tinypic.com/s6oao7.jpg

[Tilly2]

Lovely photo, BM. You have the hang of tinypics now.

[humbersloop]

showing complete ignorance here, from the picture is the fledging business about them growing proper bums then?

[excelsior-1]

what a cute young fledgling

[Barmaid]

lol, I have no idea Sloopy. I thought fledging was a young underdeveloped bird who leaves the nest. I suppose it might be difficult for them to grow proper tail feathers in the nest.

They are AMAZING to watch though. Mum and Dad are so industrious and very very protective. Mr BM gently picked the pot up that one of the babies had fallen into and put it in a tree out the way of marauders (we know which trees are a safe bet!) and Dad attacked him.

[Barmaid]

He is quite cute, isnt he?

[humbersloop]

sorry, tailfeathers was the technical term I was reaching for..