Twelve Days Old

Another long day for Charlie & Lola. This is day 12 for the chicks (day 11 for Potato!). Fledging usually happens sometime between days 16 & 22, so, if all goes to plan, we could be waving goodbye as early as this Sunday, though I suspect it will more likely happen mid-week.

Lola left the nest just before 5:00am. The chicks are looking strong and healthy.

Charlie was quick to arrive - confirmation that he's still around!

Lola took a short break at 5:10am. Maybe she decided it was just too early!

The six chicks are starting to look like mini versions of their parents now.

Charlie and Lola both waiting for a faecal sac. They ended up ripping one in half in the effort to remove it!

Charlie with his half!


The wing feathers are coming on at an amazing rate.

This was the first chick to leave the nest cup today - he didn't stay out long, though - he jumped straight back in after a couple of minutes. Potato is at the back - he remains less active, and less vocal in begging for food, than the rest.

A massive caterpillar for one chick, and there's another chick out of the nest cup.

One chick has taken pole position below the entrance hole - you can just see his back at the very bottom of the picture. It's not obvious from this image, but there is another chick on his left.

Lola doing the daily housekeeping chores.



Four out, two in. The two left behind are the smallest chicks, Neeps & Potato. The all made their way back in to the nest cup eventually.

Lola with a spider.

My mealworm order arrived this morning, and although I haven't actually hidden them, they are still waiting to be found! In the two photos above, Lola is about 18" away from them. They have been there for eleven hours unnoticed and untouched!