Wednesday 4 July 2012

Quadruplets Possibly Sextuplets !!

Further to the last post, here is an update on the chicksBlack 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.

Some people seem to be having a problem following this link from their reader; I am aware of the problem, but unable to fix it.  If anyone has a solution, I will be more than happy to hear about it.

54 comments:

  1. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have witnessed something truly magical. Beautiful post!

    Red

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. Not cute, but a pretty good nest of chicks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nadji Nous sommes très chanceux. Bonne journée Diane

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. It is amazing how quickly they are growing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  37. 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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  40. So cute! I hope they will all survive.

    ReplyDelete
  41. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  42. 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.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  45. 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

    ReplyDelete
  46. 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

    ReplyDelete
  47. 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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and pass a comment. Every comment is appreciated and I try to reply to each and every one. All comments are verification free but will come to me for approval first :-)) No Anonymous Users!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.