blackbirds are out!

I heard some loud tweek-tweek in the garden,
as the sound of a babybird.
So I went out for inspection at the birdsnest.
To my surprise no bird anymore in the nest!

When I looked closer,
suddenly a young bird flew away,
who had not been sitting in the nest, but close by hidden in the ivy.

Both father and motherbird were alarmed...
screaming, tweeting very loud and making me very clear I had to go out of the way !
Later I saw another babybird sitting in the ivy, close to the nest.
I only shot a rather unsharp photo.
anyway thats better than no bird.

red

The red is out.
After tree days half peeking out of the bud.
He finally broke out.

Its always a glorious sight having one sparkling red dot, between of the greens, purples, whites and blues.

growing some more

The little blackbirds are now having feathers and fluff
& great beaks...

female redstart

Then to my surprise she was there as well!
the female redstart...
where would they have their nest?

common redstart

Yesterday evening, I was so surprised...when opening the garagedoor...
seeing a very unusual bird sitting on the fence.
First I could not believe my eyes..seeing a bird I have never seen here in my garden.

Last year I went to a place to make photos of this bird,(click link)
because is such a beautiful lovely bird.
The Redstart or Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Gekraagde roodstaart
Then I could only catch the female...
now it was the male in full glory.
I could capture him from all sides!
such a surprise!

beetles meal

Today its a menu of beetles for the young birds.
(How many can he fix in his beak I wonder?)

to be seen both from sideview and frontview.
for good determination.

breaking open

A poppy is planning to break open today.
some other buds are waiting for their turn too.

hedge hog

It was already late, when I looked outside,
and saw a hedge hog crunching on Bibi and Tommy's food
which I had placed outside because they like being outside, as the days are warmer.
This hedgehog has found it again...and really enjoyed his unexpected treat

todays food

The parents are flying off and on.
Everytime with loads of caterpillars...or whatever it is.
A small impression of todays meals.

It fascinates me again much they can find.
Where do they find them so many!
(if you click on the photo you can almost count them or determine what specie)

bigger

The babybirds are still growing.
loads of caterpillars are shoveled in the little beaks by the parents.

Now you can clearly see the featherpins have coming out.
also the beaks have grown much bigger.

yellow deadnettle

Actually its a weed...growing in my garden.
though on some places I let them grow,
if they don't bother to much or take over other plants.

Solomon's-seal

Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon's-seal, David's-harp, Ladder-to-heaven),
(Salomonszegel).
I did not know this plant has so many lovely names.
Its growing in my garden hidden away under some shrubs.
You have to lift the leaves, in order to see the little flowers.

fast growing

The little ones are doing very well...
getting so many crawly creepy things from both parents,
the birds grow extremely fast.
this time it is lots of caterpillars...where do they find so many!

It always amazes me...seeing them grow so very fast.

meals

Father-blackbird is one of the best mealhunters.
Everytime I see him with loads of creepy-crawly things in his beak
flying in the nest.

Meanwhile with beakfull he says... tjyk.thjik..thjik...thjock, (without anyone falling out)
Either he is telling me, that I am an intruder...so go away...
or it means: Here I am coming again...to his little ones.

5 babybirds

Of course I wanted to know if the other 2 eggs had hatched.
Again this morning, I waited till motherblackbird was gone out, for getting meals.
and I peeked in the nest.

Both eggs were gone and instead were 2 more tiny baby-blackbirds.
5 naked babybirds...such a lovely sight
and so fragile.

3 baby-blackbirds

This morning I saw father blackbird bringing a visit to the nest.
He peeked in the nest and went off.
I was wondering....

Shall I have a peek too?
I waited till mother had gone out...for a meal.
I peeked inside with my little camera,
held my breath...
ohhh!
3 little naked young babies in the nest...2 eggs waiting.
It is such a miracle how such little living creatures have come out a such a small egg.