The Eve of New Beginnings

Here we are once again, the calendar rolling over once again as we start afresh for a new year.

As we think of our 'new beginnings'  for the year, I thought it only fitting to feature a whole clutch of relative newcomers to the world for today's blip. This bantam of ours hatched a clutch of ten chicks just before Christmas, and we still have seven remaining, the others I'm assuming being predated by hedgehogs or other nasties whilst out foraging. I was woken up  in the early hours by mum here clucking and fussing madly; I shone a torch out of the window to see a hedgehog pursuing some of her babies, the hen going into full attack mode to successfully protect her brood. She's a good mum, that's for sure, and she takes her babies under her wing well, as you can see here.

Happy New Year everyone, and peace and good fortune to you all in 2015.