Update for Sunday, May 12, 2024
The chicks are being left alone in the nest box for extended periods now. On Saturday night, Astrid didn’t come into the box until 10:15 PM. Obviously, the nestlings are now large enough to generate their own heat. They are certainly getting sufficient energy from the many feedings taking place day and night. Indeed, every day they’re looking more like birds and less like bobble-headed snowman. They were even seen preening today. They also have the very beginnings of a fringe of feathers protruding from their tails. Soon they will have their dark masks and pale cheek patches. Their crops were also protruding today – a tangible result of the many feeding sessions. While the parents aren’t inside the box as much now, they remain vigilant nestbox guards – always somewhere close by, ready to defend the nest and its precious contents.
