3rd June 2013 ..

Day 16 .. Sad news to report I'm afraid ... As feared, the parents never returned, and the final four succumbed. So sad, when they were only a few days from fledging, nature can be so cruel sometimes.

I will have to consider putting contingency measures in place for next year to prevent a re-occurrence. Maybe I should get some fledgling feed in, and read up on hand rearing!

So this year's adventure ends on a sad note, fingers crossed that next season is more successful.

The weather seems to have picked up now, so I will wish you all a happy summer, and maybe see you again next year. Thank you all for your support ...

2nd June 2013 ..

Day 15 .. Well unfortunately, Tiny didn't make it through yesterday, which left 6. However, since then, things appear to have taken a turn for the worse. Early this morning there were still 6 chicks, but there has been no sight of the parents at all today, and the chicks are obviously starving and squabbling, and as a consequence, another has perished. A couple of the stronger ones have been jumping up to the hole, but purely in search of Mom & Dad I would suggest, as they are not quite ready to fledge. 
I can't believe that Dan & Dora would abandon their youngsters, after putting in so much effort, but the signs aren't looking good. They may have course, been predated themselves, but it would be unusual to lose both parents. All we can do is wait and hope that they are just having a Sunday morning lie-in, otherwise I'm afraid the future for the remaining 5 chicks doesn't look good. Here's keeping everything crossed ...