Could there be four chicks?

[Spotty-ewe]

As it is forecast to rain tomorrow hubby and I went to assess how visible the nest is from the lane so he could put up a second screen before the chick’s eyes open, so we don’t scare them. I then thought I’d take one last photo before leaving them in peace for 3-4 days because in my excitement at discovering them yesterday I never thought to use the zoom! 🤦‍♀️ Now that I look at it closely, could there be 4 chicks? I thought there were only 3 eggs, but perhaps I couldn’t see one of them from the distance I stood, unless one was a double yolker? Anyway, let me know what you all think.

It gets more exciting by the minute.

I won’t be looking again for another 3 -4 days to give them and their parents peace.

[Tykle]

Definitely four! I thought there were four on the last photo too as you can see the mouth in the background. The parents will be busy!

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Tykle]

Yes, I can see that now too Tykle.😍 I assumed there would be 3 because I saw 3 eggs, but 4 is even better. 👍🏻 Busy parents indeed. I pray they all stay safe. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Take care. 🤗😘

[Horsewhisper]

Wow! What a fantastic pic Spotty! How gorgeous to see these hungry chicks and so lovely that you have managed to “shield” them (nice and protected, know how that feels at the moment!) It looks like 4 chicks in there, how exciting! 🐣 ❣️😄

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Horsewhisper]

Thanks Horsewhisper. Yes, I think the pic does show 4 little chicks in there. Haha, yes we all know what shielding is about. 😆 Hubby has just made another screen he’s going to put up to make it hard for a predator to see them or to get near them. It leaves plenty or spaces for the parents to nip in and out, but too awkward (we hope and pray) for any peadators whether furry or feathery. 🤞🤞🙏🏻🙏🏻

[overnighthearingloss in reply to Horsewhisper]

What happened next with your lady duck?

[Horsewhisper in reply to overnighthearingloss]

She didn’t move into the wall planter after-all - it was probably too close to the patio door, so probably too disruptive for her!

[overnighthearingloss in reply to Horsewhisper]

Its a shame, but probably the best outcome.

[Horsewhisper in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Yes I think so too - I’ll see if I can spot her elsewhere as we have other wall planters in quieter locations.

[overnighthearingloss]

Four little beaks. How lovely. Do they make any sounds yet?

[Spotty-ewe in reply to overnighthearingloss]

No, they are silent at present OHL. But once they start chirping I’m worried that’s when the prowling cats will find them out. Hubby has just made another and larger screen so I hope it does the trick. 🙏🏻🤞

[overnighthearingloss in reply to Spotty-ewe]

I know. If only they would make their nests at a greater height. But then cats climb as well.

I too love cats, but would also worry about the chicks.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to overnighthearingloss]

We’ll provide the extra screen and then I suppose we have to then just let nature take its course. Praying for the best outcome. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[CecilyParsley]

Wow how lovely. Definitely four little chicks 😍❤️❤️❤️

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

🐥🐥🐥🐣 👍🏻👍🏻🤗😘💕

[Krazykat26]

Fabulous pic Spotty 🤗 r should I say Spotty Oddie!! 😹 Fantastic twitching!!

I see four little beaks 🐥🐥🐥🐥

I use pepper to keep cats off our veggie patch n it does work..well it stops them pooping anyway!! 😹

We've recently used the same technique on our front garden for the same reason..not cat though!! 😜👍

We've had rain overnight n today n it's doing the garden the world of good n the birds r coming in to feed n have a bath in our little pond..I can see it all from the comfyness of my living room!! Better than telly!!

Keep posting on your wee families progress.

Take care 🌈😽😽xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Krazykat26]

Haha! Spotty Oddie - love it!😆

We are due rain tomorrow (first in about 6 weeks!) and so far the chicks are silent, but once they start chirping I’ll use the pepper trick around the base of the hawthorn they are in. 👍🏻👍🏻

Sounds like you have a bird Hilton there with baths, food and nesting materials.👏🏻👏🏻 We’ve one rotter who likes spoiling it for the rest by pooping in one of the bird baths after he’s used it 🤦‍♀️, so I have to clean them out almost daily.

Plenty of riveting viewing right from the comfort of your own armchair.😍😍 Brilliant!👍🏻

Thanks Kat, I’ll keep you posted with progress. Take care. 🤗😘💕

[svfarmer]

I’ve counted 4 😊

[Spotty-ewe in reply to svfarmer]

Me too. 👍🏻👍🏻

[misty14]

It could be four spotty-ewe, couldn' t it?. That's a fantastic photo!. Do keep us posted how they all get on. Its so special. keep safe and well.Xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

You too Misty. 🙏🏻

[misty14 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thanks so much spotty-ewe, hope your new charges are still doing well.Xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

Hopefully Misty. 🤞 It is raining here today (first in about 7 weeks) so hopefully the cats will be put off. I’ll check on them on Friday so they have another full day of peace. Hope you are having a good day. Take care. 😘🤗

[stiff19]

Wow 4 😍 wish I got fed sitting doing that 😂😂 no chance I can’t open my mouth that wide 😂

They’re adorable , I’ll be keeping everything crossed, they do well 🤞🐣 you’ve given them better chances with screens 👍🙌🏻

🤗😘🙏🐣🐝x

[Spotty-ewe in reply to stiff19]

Haha. If we had our mouths open like that we’d be asked if we are trying to catch flies!! 😂😂

Thanks for your support and good wishes Stiff for the little ones. 👍🏻🤞🤞

I read only yesterday that the female Dunnock builds the nest on her own, incubates the eggs on her own and on the rare occasion has fed the brood on her own. How’s that for girl power? 😂🤣

Take care Stiff. 🤗😘💕

[stiff19 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

😂😂👍 bless her , relate to that 👍😂 🤣🤣😆

Well she did a grand job of that nest 👍😍

🤗🐝x

[Spotty-ewe in reply to stiff19]

Just as you have on yours Stiff. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😂

[stiff19 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thankyou 🙏 I did a job 😂

[Spotty-ewe in reply to stiff19]

👏🏻😂🤣👍🏻

[thestorm]

And then there were four! Why do birds, suddenly appear, every time you are near, just like me, they want to be close to you! On the day that they were born, the angels got together, and wanted to create a dream come true, so they sprinkled angel dust in the air, and gave them eyes of new, So just like me, they want to be, close to you, dear Spotty! much blessings love, thestormy sunshine:)🐤🐤🐤🐤

[Spotty-ewe in reply to thestorm]

A Beetles fan eh? 👏🏻 Thanks for your support Stormy. The wee ones need all the help and support they can get to fledge before any predictors discover them. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Keep safe Stormy sunshine! 🤗😘😍

[stiff19 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Was it Beatles? I only know it from the carpenters 🤷‍♀️🤗

[Spotty-ewe in reply to stiff19]

Yes, you are right Stiff. 👏🏻 I’m thinking of another that Paul McCartney sang solo whilst in the Beetles. It mentioned birds anyway. My brain is rather fogged at the moment ( a lot of stress arrived on Monday) so that’s my excuse. 😆 Take care Stiff. 🤗😘

[stiff19 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

😂😂 don’t worry my brains like it foggy or not 😂 I have no excuse 🙈😂

Sorry 😐 you’ve stress , I hope you have a better day today 🤗😘💐

[Spotty-ewe in reply to stiff19]

Thank you Stiff, that is very kind. 🥰 But no, the stressful situation has brought me very close to tears today. But hubby is going to ponder over it with me later and perhaps I’ll feel better once we’ve both put our minds to it and hopefully come up with a plan. 🙏🏻🤞

When I get near to tears I think of the little birdies in their cosy nest and it brings a smile to my face. 😁😁👍🏻👍🏻 Take care, lovely Stiff.🤗😘

[stiff19 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Oh spotty don’t like the sound of things but I hope your minds working together help solve it 🤞🙏

Love and hugs spotty 🤗😘🐝

[Spotty-ewe in reply to stiff19]

I’m sure they will. Thanks so much for your love and concern Stiff. 🤗😘 🥰

[Krazykat26 in reply to stiff19]

Karen Carpenter wot a voice!! 🎵🥁🎵 🎤🎶🌈😽😽Xx

[stiff19 in reply to Krazykat26]

😂 haven’t listened to or heard of in ages 👍🙌🏻 shows my age 🙈😂🤗🐝

[Krazykat26 in reply to stiff19]

As soon as she sings I trance out 🎶🎤🎶🎤💞 memories from my youth!! 😹🌈😽😽Xx

[stiff19 in reply to Krazykat26]

Yes it’s funny , it bought back memories when stormy mentioned it 👍 weird though , my short term memory is shot, but singing it and others in my head I remember all the words 😂🤷‍♀️

How are you kk🙏? 😘🤗🐝

[Krazykat26 in reply to stiff19]

🎶on the day that u were born the angels got together n decided to create a dream come true..etc🎶😹

Music evokes memories it's true..I'm a bit the same!! Think it's just my age though!! 😔😜

I'm ok thanks Stiff 🤗 hope all's well with u 🌈😽😽xx

[stiff19 in reply to Krazykat26]

Must be mine too 👍50 years young 😂😂

Ok thanks , must say enjoying 95 per cent of the time having daughter home 😂👍

🌈🤗🐝x

[stiff19]

Of course 😍 goes without saying 😘🤗💐🐝

[Olderkitten]

Wonderful! I once had a cardinals nest right outside my window and I could see the babies, there were 2 but 1 died. And of course I fed Mom and Dad. I now have cardinals coming everyday! Their red feathers are absolutely gorgeous! And I also have my squirrels lol, love watching them chasing each other. I believe there are 4 chicks in the nest.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Olderkitten]

How lovely to hear about your cardinals. Such beautiful birds. 👍🏻 That must have been wonderful watching them grow from your window rather than stick you head in a thorny hawthorn hedge like I have to. 😳 Haha. So sad that one died. Any reason for it that you could see?

Squirrels are fun to watch too. Ours here are red squirrels which are dying out as the larger greys are taking over and are said to carry a virus the reds have no resistance to. A wretched virus again!! 😫

Keep safe Kitten. 🤗😘

[Olderkitten]

I don't know what happened to the chick that died, it was very sad. Poor red squirrels, wonder what kind of disease the gray squirrels have.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Olderkitten]

Yes it is very sad when one of the chicks dies like that.

The greys carry a virus that doesn’t affect them but is lethal to the reds. The greys were introduced to UK by the victorians who didn’t know any better and it has back-fired by killing off our native reds.

I hope you continue to enjoy your cardinals. You should post a picture of them for us. I’d love to see them.

Take care, and keep safe. 🤗😘

[AimeeA]

There are some birds who actually lay their eggs in other species nests and let those parents raise them (like the cuckoo and cowbird). So you may have checked and seen only 3 eggs, but if one of these types of birds slipped in and laid an egg later, suddenly there are 4, one of which is an interloper.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brood...

Will be interesting to watch them grow and see if you see the parents raising one of them that looks entirely different!

[Spotty-ewe in reply to AimeeA]

Very good point Aimee, I hadn’t thought of that. Of course the Dunnock is a favourite of the Cuckoo but so far the chicks all look the same. 👍🏻 But it is early days yet. They will be 1 week old on Monday. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’ll keep an eye on them. Thanks for that.👍🏻

Take care. 🤗😘