Here are the 3, yes 3 little spotted flycatcher chicks, not 2 as I first thought, sitting like the 3 wise monkeys waiting for Mum and Dad to return with food.π₯° Iβve attached a photo of one of the parents with food for them in a reply section below. They are getting quite large for the nest now so must be getting ready to fledge. What a spectacularly long journey theyβll have ahead of them with Mum and Dad back to tropical Africa for the winter. Getting this photo has made my day and I hope it makes you all smile too.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. π€ππ Spotty xx
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Spotty-ewe
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They are lovely arenβt they. π₯° So sad to think they are on the red list of endangered birds. βΉοΈ So Iβm praying all the harder their babies all make it. ππ» π₯π₯π₯ xxx
Just been out to look at the chicks and they have fledged!ππ»ππ»ππ» No parents around and the nest looks undisturbed so they have definitely fledged. It is very calm today but there is a slight drizzle so not the best of days to go but not the worst either. Weβve had some really windy days recently so glad they didnβt attempt leaving then. Iβm wishing them all the luck in the world now to manage that epic journey they have to do. ππ» xxxx
π₯π₯³π₯³π₯³π₯³π₯³π₯³ π₯³ great news thats fab π I wish them all the luck in the world with you ππ€π thanks for letting us know π€xx
The photo spotty of the chicks is the best cutie pic ever. Wonderful to see them like that waiting to be fed and as you say a good size now so it won't be long till they fledge. Would be amazing if they did come back next year!. You've certainly made them very welcome.Thats made my weekend spotty like it has for you. π.
Hope you have a lovely Sunday and thanks so much for sharing them. Xxβ€π€
Aww, thank you so much Misty - praise indeed from the Queen of cutie pictures. π₯° I hope they do come back next year but I suppose weβll never know because it is unlikely theyβll choose that bird feeder again. But just in case they or others do hubby will beef up the wicker chain with wire or something to make sure it holds for another season. It has been truly a privilege to see them from eggs through to chicks and hopefully fledglings before long. ππ» So pleased they have made your weekend as well as mine Misty. ππ»ππ»Thank you for your lovely messages and I will be back in touch very soon. Thanks for your kind wishes and I hope you enjoy your Sunday too.ππ» π€πxx
No rush spotty to be in touch. Enjoy these wonderful birds as its very special time and will pass. What i find so amazing is they know which way to fly to these exotic countries!. Maybe there are hidden signposts for them in the clouds?!. I do hope they remember how welcoming you both were and that your improving their lodgings so they will return!. Thank you for all your lovely smiles. π
What a lovely thought Misty that they have signposts on the way. β‘οΈ & π. π I hope they find decent bed and breakfast stops along the way too. ππ» Isnβt it an incredible journey? So pleased the posts have brought you pleasure and smiles. π Take care Misty and Iβll be in touch soon. π€πxx
It really is an incredible journey, spotty one that a particular species of butterfly does too!. Maybe it hitches a ride!.? !.Lovely sharing it all with you. Xxπ€β€
Being flycatchers I think they would gladly offer the butterflies a lift as theyβd provide them with a tasty snack along the way. π Poor butterflies. Yes their journey must be even more hazardous than the flycatchers. π₯΄ Incredible what nature is capable of. I enjoy sharing our nature notes too Misty. ππ»ππ» Birds of a feather β¦. π ππ€xx
Just to let you know they have fledged. ππ»ππ»ππ» It seems so quiet without them in their nest and their parents back and forth. Iβm praying hard for them now to make that epic journey with their parents successfully ππ» and maybe return here next year. Their accommodation will have been cleaned, maintained and redecorated ready for them. ππ€£π€£ ππ€πxx
Oh crikey spotty you just got their photo done in time!. I shall pray too they reach their destination safely!. You'll miss not keeping an eye on them. Hope they do return as they were looked after so well at your abode. Nature is amazing ,left alone though,man has interfered too much!. It's the one thing I'm grateful to covid for ,for opening our eyes to these amazing events.
My birdwatching friend always puts a To let sign out when he's got his bird accommodation ready for next season!. π
Thank you for sharing the flycatchers with us spotty. So very special. Have a good week. Xxπππ
Yes, perfect timing! ππ»ππ»I bet they left at the crack of dawn this morning. Yes, Iβve missed them and their parents today. π₯Ί But it was nice to get into my shed again. βΊοΈ Weβll clean out the wee bird feeder as it has some droppings etc on the inner sides of it so it will get a scrub up and reinforced ready for next year in case it is needed again.What a lovely idea to put a To Let notice out when the accommodation is ready each year. π We have 6 nesting boxes in our trees and all except 1 is used each year. Hubby cleans them all out in the autumn and puts them back because in bad weather small birds use them for roosting. We have noticed those outside the shed have been used for roosting too, but never until last year and then again this year have they ever been used for nesting. π€·πΌββοΈ We are going to position the unused nesting box on the shed this autumn just to see if it gets used. π€
Itβs my pleasure sharing our wildlife with everybody. π₯° So lovely they have brought joy to so many. ππ»ππ» I hope you have a good week too Misty. π€πxx
Iβm so pleased you are as taken with the wee souls as I am Cecily. π₯° They are SO cute I canβt stop looking at them at a distance through binoculars. They are so comical trying to get out of each otherβs way and not succeeding in such a confined space. So I was thrilled when hubby managed to get this shot with his telephoto lens of them all lined up. ππ»ππ» We were also thrilled to discover yesterday that there are 3 of them. π So 3 out of the 4 eggs that were inside the nest isnβt bad. My pleasure to share the image Cecily because Iβm so excited by the precious wee things. π xxx
Thank you SC, yes it would make an attractive greetings card now you mention it. Good idea. ππ»ππ» I hope you are right and that they do return next year. ππ» I bought the bird feeder in Pooley Bridge (Lake District) many years ago from a wee shop that sold lots of different coconut items including one of the bird houses that hangs nearby and housed a wrenβs nest last year. When we go in and out of the shed all the time on good days it was surprising either coconut was chosen for nesting. Just shows how few good days we get! ππ Of course since Mrs Flycatcher was sitting on the eggs we stopped going back and forth to the shed and have stored tools etc we commonly use in the garage. But hubby is loving the excuse not to mow the grass. π€£π€£
Thank you Stiff, we are so pleased to have been able to watch them and get the photos. π The parents are wonderful back and forth all day long with food. π₯° And they chitter loudly if you go anywhere near the shed even to pick the blackcurrants in the nearby border. Very protective but no match to the sparrowhawk or woodpecker if they happened to come along. So I am still praying they continue to avoid being observed until the babies fledge.ππ» And Iβll join you with your good wishes to them all for a good and long life.π€ Take care Stiff. ππ€πxx
Undoubtedly you are π the photos will hold fond memories of this π fingers crossed π€ for a safe freedom fledging π¦. I often watch my chooks and think how exhausting it must be to have to be on guard 24/7 to predators , nature can be cruel but looking at pics also beautiful π. Hopeful an looking forward to the day you say they flew their nest ( not so looking forward to the day my daughter does π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£) .Take care too ππ€x
Yes, the memories sparked by the photos will be wonderful in the future.π₯° It must indeed be exhausting looking out for predators the whole of your life. π₯Ί Iβm praying too for a safe first flight for the wee souls once the time is right for them.ππ» Aw, Iβm sure thereβll be several years yet before your daughter leaves the nest. π€ I know you do so much together that I donβt think it will happen for a very long time and then Iβm sure she wonβt go very far away. Just enjoy every day you have together even if it involves you having to ask her to help keep the nest tidy. π All good training for when she has her own nest. π Love and hugs ππ€ππ₯π₯π₯xx
π€£π€£ spotty oddie, love that π good for future and now πππ»Yes sad when she leaves but again will be nature taking its course π₯²π₯²π€£π
Love and π€ returned enjoy your Sunday evening πππ€
π€£π€£Spotty Oddie is so pleased to be able to strike again and feeling privileged to have yet another wee family in our midst.ππ»ππ» I was completely surprised our ornamental bird feeder was chosen as a nesting site but delighted at the same time, even if rather nervous for them with the predatory birds around. π€«The coconut bird house on the opposite side to the one occupied by the wrens last year was occupied by a wasps nest at the same time. Just after the wrens fledged from theirs (and I was lucky enough to witness the straggler fledge) the wasps nest was decimated by a woodpecker. π₯΄ A narrow escape for the wrens. So Iβm praying they remain undetected until flight day arrives. ππ» So pleased the photos have made you smile Kat.ππ»ππ» Hubby thanks you and takes a bow for the last and best photo of the trio, which weβd thought were twins for a long time. π Obviously one is shyer than the others. π Take care Kat. ππ» Hugs..π€πxxxπ£π₯π₯
Aww, Iβm so pleased the wee flycatchers have given you a happy start to your day Tjo. ππ»ππ» I hope the rest of your day is just as happy.ππ» My pleasure to share the photos. They are far too cute and precious to keep to ourselves. π Enjoy the rest of your day. π€xxπ₯π₯π₯
And you too EJ. ππ Just been out to look at the chicks and they have all gone. No sign of distressed parents so they have definitely fledged and taken off with Mum and Dad. ππ»ππ» π€πxxx
Drizzly here today so must admit I havenβt been outside yet.π€ Yes, the parents seem to be back and forth one after the other with beaks full of something - could well be flying ants. They are doing a grand job or reducing the pests as well as feeding their babies. ππ»ππ» π€xπ₯π₯π₯
Just been out to look Stills and they have fledged! ππ»ππ»ππ» It seems so quiet with no busy parents back and forth and an empty undisturbed nest. So glad to have got that photo yesterday! ππ»ππ» Missing them now βΉοΈ and wishing them all the very best of luck on their mammoth journey. ππ»π€ xxx
So pleased youβve enjoyed it Titters. π₯° It is thankfully too high up the shed wall for cats, but owls is another matter, and we do hear owls around at night. π¬ Hopefully theyβll be fast asleep and keeping quiet and low in their nest by then. ππ» π€xπ₯π₯π₯
Thank you GE. Yes, we are particularly glad to have captured that moment because they have now fledged! π³The nest is empty and the fact it looks undisturbed and there are no frantic / distressed parents around confirms they have all gone. ππ»ππ»ππ» They were definitely getting too big for that nest! π I hope they return next year too. Take care. π€xx
I hope so too Tykle. π€ It would be lovely to see them one last time to wish them luck before that long journey south. ππ»ππ» Take care. xx
Oh My Goodness! They are so sweet and so glad you were able to capture this wonderful picture. I was trying to tell myself not to not read my emails until later, but I caved in and now I am so very happy I did. Your post made me feel so happy and hopeful. What a gift for all of us! Thank you so much, Spotty. I am sure these precious babies will have a wonderful journey.
Iβm so glad you saw them too Pumpkin and Iβm delighted they brought you that βfeel goodβ factor as they did for us too. There is something so special about new life and the how it fills us with love and hope. Letβs hope they do have a wonderful journey with their parents and hopefully back again next spring. π€ Take care Pumpkin. π€xx
Yes, we were so chuffed there were 3 of them. And now they have all fledged we feel we can breathe again as we were worried heyβd be discovered by some predator. So pleased it has made your day Olderkitten. π€xx
What a fantastic picture and just what I needed today as I'm sure a lot of us do, in a world that feels a bit dark. Creatures never cease to amaze me. My husband and I were just discussing the tenacity of something that weighs only 3g! In the words of Miranda - "Totes Amaze Balls". I wonder if they are a species that might return at a later date. Anyhoo, thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and photos.
Thank you so much CC. Yes, nature never fails to uplift so Iβm really pleased the photo was just what you needed today. ππ»ππ» I hope and pray their species makes a comebak. Theyβll always be welcome here, thatβs for sure. π₯° Take care. π€xx
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me today, I really appreciate it. I did have a little nature moment today myself. We had a kestrel in our garden tree today. Don't often have the pleasure of their company; we do have sparrow hawks though. Cheeky little devils. Have a good evening and thanks once again xxπ
How lovely to see a Kestrel in your tree. Iβm not fond of sparrowhawks having witnessed one take our male woodpecker off our nut feeder although it fortunately dropped him just as hubby threw open the window to shout at it. We also witnessed it taking the chicks of a blackbird and it terrorised our budgie at the window so we kept the blind half closed after that. I know it is nature, but I donβt like witnessing such things.Lovely chatting with you CC. Hoping you have a lovely evening too. π€xπ₯π₯π₯
Yes I know what you mean. I'm often seen in the garden running up and down trying to stop them taking anything. As my late Dad used to say "they're only trying to survive" to which I used to reply "Not on my watch!" I also meant to say, well done for being a wonderful host for the chicks and their parents.
Aww, thank you CC. We didnβt do anything really only try to give them their privacy and keep out of their way and pray for them that no nasty predators found them. Your Dad was right, but Iβm with you about keeping them away as best I can.Take care CC. Xxx
Iβm so pleased to hear from you SV. ππ»ππ» Iβve been thinking about you and meant to PM you last night but I ran out of spoons. π₯Ί Iβll look in a minute to see if youβve put up a post. So pleased the wee chicks made you smile. They have fledged now and will no doubt be building up for their fantastically long journey to Africa. Hugs π€ππ»πxx
So happy to see them safe and strong.. I get the impression they will not see, hear nor speak any evil. Sending you hugs from the land down under. β₯οΈ
Lovely to hear from you again CG. ππ» Yes, they look far too cute and innocent to see, hear or speak any evil! ππThey have fledged now so hopefully Mum and Dad will feed them up until they are strong enough to begin the epic flight to tropical Africa. Hugs back to you from Bonnie Scotland. π€π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώxx
Arenβt birds travels awe inspiring? We have birds all over the globe who travel from one side of the world to the other. Oh to be a bird during the Pandemic π³πΏπ€π¦
We hadnβt seen them before either Daisy. π€£π€£ It appears they are endangered so it has been such a privilege having them nest on our shed. ππ»ππ» Take care. xxx
Hi SC, yes they fledged only the day after I put up this post. ππ»ππ» I thought they were looking rather large for the nest.π We think we saw 2 flycatchers zooming after insects a day or so after they fledged but suspected they were the adults still getting food for the young. I expect theyβve begun their mammoth migration by now and I hope they have favourable conditions on that extraordinary flight. ππ» Lovely to hear from you SC and to know youβve been thinking about the wee family.π₯° Take care. π€xxx
Bless, hope the family are enjoying their big holiday migration. Maybe they will take their time for a week or two..as the babes get stronger...hope they are back to your garden next year.
That would be lovely SC if they do return. ππ» Yes Iβm sure theyβll take their time migrating with babies on board. π I really hope weβll see them all again next year. π€ Xx
I just love watching the birds outside our kitchen window. I am very upset because the blue jays have stolen/eaten some of their eggs. We have one baby bird. Usually we have three. I would like to know is there anything I can do to keep the blue jays out? I only recently found out about them doing this. I have seen them many times stick their heads into the nests but didn't realize what they were doing. Yes, I am upset about it.
Iβm not familiar with blue jays but I presume they are larger than the birds whose eggs they are stealing? If so an obstacle could perhaps be hung in front of the smaller birdβs nest so the blue jay is unable to fly and land near to the nest for fear of damaging its wings. Our spotted flycatchers chose their site we think because a colourful wind twirly is right in front of the ornamental feeder. So a predatory bird couldnβt fly in close to the flycatherβs nest without hitting this twirly and possibly damaging its wings. I hope this helps. Xx
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