Big news ... the first of the back garden baby kites has left the nest and is out on a nearby branch.
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| Mum on the right and the larger of the two chicks on the left |
It hasn't gone far. The nest is on the left of the photograph below and Mum and the chick are out on the branch on the right.
The second chick is about a week behind the first and is sitting tight in the nest, just watching what's going on. This one still has fluffy grey feathers on its head.
The chick is a bit wobbly still and fell forward before regaining its balance after a bit of flapping. Mum is staying very close by and keeping a watchful eye on it.
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| A bit of a wobble |
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| Balance regained |
Both parents have been doing a great job of looking after the chicks and it looks like all their hard work paid off. They're looking a bit shabby now though and are moulting their feathers, which means there are always lots of great feathers around the garden.
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| Looking a bit ruffled! |
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| A tickle of red kite feathers collected from the garden |
The collective noun for a group of feathers is a tickle, which always makes me laugh!
I always would have liked to have some nice feathers from these wonderful birds!
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