12 August 2022
Milestones
After the female left the nest yesterday afternoon, I popped up the ladder to check on the chicks. As my head appeared above the wall, the front chick clicked its bill at me – the first time a chick has reacted. Also, when checking the photograph, I could see the start of the flight feathers on the wing of the front chick – visible as two rows of slate-blue, waxy sheaths. The chicks are now around 17 days old and are developing as expected. Good news!
By Geoff Lockwood