Wednesday, 4 July 2012

Quadruplets Possibly Sextuplets !!

Further to the last post, here is an update on the chicks, Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros).  I have been watching them as closely as possible and only in my last photo, taken at 7 days old, do there appear to be six youngsters in the nest.  It is one of the smallest nests I have ever seen, though fairly deep.  I am wondering however if they are all going to fit in it for much longer!!  See how many you think there are ?

Mum appears to be doing a fantastic job and appears very patient with me taking a look every couple of days.


27 June 2012 above


29 June 2012

Finally, on 2 July 2012 at a week old, I can see what I think are 5 beaks here, but there also looks like another eye hidden on the left. Six maybe?


You might also like My Life Before the Charente  updated 28 June 2012.

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54 comments:

  1. Mary Bergfeld4 July 2012 at 16:18

    You are a wizzard with that camera. They are getting bigger, so I suspect they'll soon be moving to other quarters :-). Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  2. Diane4 July 2012 at 16:22

    Mary, thanks for the kind comment, I am already surprised that they fit in the little nest :) Take care Diane

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  3. ladybird4 July 2012 at 16:43

    Could be six, but I'm not bettig on it ;) One thing is sure though; they are really, really cute ...but they will never win a beauty contest - lol! Martine

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  4. F Cameron4 July 2012 at 17:08

    Counting eyes, I think you're right that there are six in the nest! So cute!

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  5. Diane4 July 2012 at 17:31

    Martine I have to agree, not beauty show winners, but oh so cute. The parents are quite plain but they do seem to have characters different to the other birds around. Have a great day Diane

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  6. Diane4 July 2012 at 17:35

    Freda I wonder if I will ever be sure of the number bit it certainly looks like six to me in that last photo. Stay well Diane

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  7. Boye By Red4 July 2012 at 17:54

    You have witnessed something truly magical. Beautiful post!

    Red

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  8. Diane4 July 2012 at 18:04

    Boye By Red, we are really enjoying seeing these chicks grow up. As you say it is magical. Diane

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  9. Chubskulit Rose4 July 2012 at 18:15

    Oh wow, that last shot is so gorgeous. I love their blue eyes!

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  10. Diane4 July 2012 at 18:21

    chubskulit they are so cute, we are enjoying watching them grow day by day. Enjoy your celebrations today. Diane

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  11. GaynorB4 July 2012 at 18:58

    Not cute, but a pretty good nest of chicks.

    They probably take a lot of feeding. Lovely to see them.

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  12. Gaelyn4 July 2012 at 19:29

    No matter how many, they sure do fill the next. What a wonderful experience to watch them grow. Nice shots.

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  13. Diane4 July 2012 at 19:32

    Gaynor I think they are cute, matter of taste :) Whatever, we are enjoying watching them grow up. Take care Diane

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  14. Diane4 July 2012 at 19:33

    Gaelyn, you are right about filling the nest. if you could really see how small it is!!!! Hope all is well with you. Diane

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  15. Joyful4 July 2012 at 19:38

    Aw, they look so cute. It looks like 6 sets of eyes to me in the bottom photo.

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  16. Diane4 July 2012 at 20:05

    Joyful I agree, it certainly looks like six in the last photo :-) Diane

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  17. Deana Sidney4 July 2012 at 21:27

    They are just too beautiful, aren't they. What a special joy to be able to watch them grow... you are a very lucky lady and thanks for sharing!

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  18. Diane4 July 2012 at 22:20

    lostpastremembered I also think we are lucky to be able to see this family grow from day one. It is a pleasure to share. Have a great day Diane

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  19. chow and chatter5 July 2012 at 05:52

    wow they are so cute, magic to watch nature close up

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  20. Nadji5 July 2012 at 11:03

    Diane, quelle chance de pouvoir profiter d'aussi près de la nature.
    A bientôt.

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  21. Diane5 July 2012 at 11:33

    Rebecca we are very lucky to get this chance to see nature at such close quarters. Take care Diane

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  22. Diane5 July 2012 at 11:33

    Nadji Nous sommes très chanceux. Bonne journée Diane

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  23. Marjie5 July 2012 at 22:04

    It's always fun to watch the baby animals grow, isn't it?

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  24. cheshire wife5 July 2012 at 22:59

    It is amazing how quickly they are growing.

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  25. This is Belgium5 July 2012 at 23:31

    they grow fast, Diane !!

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  26. Te de Ternura6 July 2012 at 07:21

    Tres jolie!!! :)

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  27. Diane6 July 2012 at 09:41

    Margie watching any animal grow is fun I agree, but somehow I enjoy this more than watching domestic animals. Stay well Diane

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  28. Diane6 July 2012 at 09:42

    cheshire wife yes one week and they look like birds already! Have a good day Diane

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  29. Diane6 July 2012 at 09:43

    This is Belgium, very fast I can hardly believe how advanced they are already. Have a good day. Diane

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  30. Jayanthy Kumaran6 July 2012 at 09:44

    so so cute...love them all..:)
    Tasty appetite

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  31. Diane6 July 2012 at 09:52

    Te de Ternura, Gracias por la visita. Aprecio. Buen día. Diane

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  32. Diane6 July 2012 at 14:33

    Jay they really are very sweet. We are enjoying them growing up. Diane

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  33. Anne6 July 2012 at 17:57

    They are very sweet Diane:) Have a lovely weekend!
    ~Anne

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  34. Diane6 July 2012 at 18:15

    Anne I have to agree :)) Enjoy the weekend. Diane

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  35. Ellie6 July 2012 at 20:59

    Oh they are so cute - you have done really well getting such great pictures of them

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  36. Unknown6 July 2012 at 21:55

    Oh how adorable! How fun that you have a "bird's eye view" of all of this!

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  37. Diane6 July 2012 at 21:58

    Ellie we are enjoying quietly keeping track of what is going on. Have a great weekend. Diane

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  38. Diane6 July 2012 at 21:59

    The Café Sucré Farine, Ha ha you are right we really do have a birds eye view and it is fun. Take care Diane

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  39. Gloria Baker7 July 2012 at 00:29

    Omy sextuplets is. Amazing and are so nice!!so cute Diane!

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  40. Happy Frog and I7 July 2012 at 10:28

    I wasn't sure what I was going to see from the headline but what a lovely surprise! I have no idea how many there are but I agree they looking like they'll get too big for the nest very soon. Great pictures/post. x

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  41. Diane7 July 2012 at 11:28

    Gloria we are delighted with our 'little' family and it such fun watching them. Diane

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  42. Diane7 July 2012 at 11:31

    Froggy I hope you did not think it was my sextuplets LOL. Have a great weekend Diane

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  43. Unknown7 July 2012 at 17:17

    So cute! I hope they will all survive.

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  44. lena8 July 2012 at 03:40

    so cute with blue eyes! seriously, i dont think i would dare to go close to them when the mother is around, i'm afraid that she might poke on me!! LOL!

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  45. lejardindelucie8 July 2012 at 07:58

    Merci Diane de nous faire partager ce beau moment de la vie des oiseaux de votre jardin! Vous êtes des "parents d'adoption" très attentifs.
    Souhaitons une longue vie à ces petits hirsutes!
    Bon dimanche à vous.

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  46. Diane8 July 2012 at 09:15

    Lucie, C'est un plaisir. J'aime les petits oiseaux. Bon dimanche. Diane

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  47. Diane8 July 2012 at 09:16

    Lena the mother is no problem. she is a very good mother but very patient with me. Have a good day Diane

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  48. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen8 July 2012 at 12:18

    Great shots Diane. I can't get over what great close-ups you've gotten. They are adorable. We've had collie pups, but never chicks.
    Sam

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  49. Diane8 July 2012 at 12:43

    Sam where the nest was it was quite easy to get close ups. Mum never seemed to be worried about me at any stage. Diane

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  50. Noushka11 July 2012 at 17:42

    Lovely shots!
    I have a nest too under the veranda!
    They are very familiar birds!
    At close look, I think you've got 5 only which is a nice size clutch!
    The parents must be pretty busy!
    Hope you are well too!
    I am soooo busy running here and there after good fauna subjects, as you might well imagine!
    Cheers Diane, XXXX

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  51. Rosebud Collection12 July 2012 at 13:12

    Diane, what great pictures..You were lucky to catch the little birds.
    I always consider a picture like this a "gift"..Wonderful job.
    xoCarolyn

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  52. Diane12 July 2012 at 14:16

    Carolyn, nature is wonderful and I agree this was a gift :) Diane

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  53. Jennifer13 July 2012 at 14:15

    Adorable!

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  54. Diane13 July 2012 at 15:54

    Loulou they really were, I am sad they have flown the nest but I hope they are well. Diane

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