Audrey & Tony's Birdy-Web
Updated 1st June, 2003
It happened like this . . . . Audrey was chopping one of our bushes back a little, as she does each year to prevent it getting too big, when she realised that she'd removed the "roof" from a bird's nest too. She was so surprised to see the bird sat looking at her that she quickly apologised to the bird (yes she did!) and replaced the top branches to camouflage the nest and to provide protection against the weather and possible predators. There were five eggs in the nest at this time
The next day Audrey checked to see if her topiary had scared the mother-bird away, but thankfully she was still tending her eggs and continued doing so whilst we took these pictures
"Mother Thrush" keeping her eggs warm
The first chix hatch - and take a nap
More chix arrive - and take a nap
One's hungry
Two are hungry
This hunger thing is catching!
Another day, another mouth to feed
Now there are five mouths to feed! The chix are so used to seeing us (and our camera) that they are "almost posing" for the photos now!
Mrs Thrush's little helper (Audrey) takes-over the feeding chores
"Mother" perches on my hand to check that her chix are being fed properly - it's difficult to believe, but this really is a wild bird!
Mrs Thrush has realised that it's easier to accept Audrey's hand-outs than it is to find food for herself
The parents resume normal feeding duties . . . . did we do something wrong?
Keeping a look-out
These chix are growing "fast!"
Still keeping a look-out - and trying to tempt the chix out of the nest
Audrey feeds the chix for the last time
Audrey says goodbye to her young "pets"
More "supplies" are brought-in for the brood, just before they flew the nest
The last chic is tempted out of the nest with more food - seconds later both birds flew off leaving the nest empty
The nest is in the bush which is just visible over Alistair's right shoulder in this pic. It's amazingly close to our front door
The whole family feeding in our back garden
Hope you enjoyed seeing our little "birdy episode." It was an experience we will never forget! We actually feel "privileged" to have witnessed, and to have participated, in the events. That the chix parents accepted our close presence (and also our interference) must make this a once in a lifetime experience
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