Busy Again

Our redstart parents are busy raising their second brood of the year. The three chicks are almost ready to fledge, which makes a total of eight offspring in one summer. No wonder the parents are looking a little ragged by now.

Because the nest box is in a very dark corner, it’s not easy to get a good picture of it. I managed a few grainy impressions of the big chicks, always struggling for the top spot in line to be fed. 

Usually, the parents have been feeding them insects and larvae. I was surprised to see the mother carrying a berry to the nest today, but that might be a way for the chicks to get some fluid on hot days.