Little robins

Whilst messing about in the Feed Room a few weeks back I noticed an untidy mess of straw between some bottles, sundry medications and fencing wire up on one of the shelves.

Taking a closer look before cleaning it away I found a nest - occupied by a robin.

It's the first time I've ever seen a robin's nest and the last thing I expected to find.......

Late last week the mother started flitting in and out with beakloads of bugs for her hatchlings so a few days ago I got up on a chair and peered - camera in hand - into the nest and discovered two little bodies snuggled together. Never having seen a just-hatched robin I found it all jolly exciting.

By Wednesday the hatchlings were fledged and spent a pleasant day in Rocco's stable learning to fly. Unfortunately the bolder of the two made it to the outside world when I wasn't looking and the Bestest Gundog in All the World thought maybe I'd like to have it back! Although it was still alive when he handed it to me, the shock of the journey was too much for the little thing and he soon departed for good.

Meanwhile his nest-mate took advantage of Rocco's hospitality for a further 24 hours. If you look closely at the dark photo you can just see him having a rest on the rubber matting!

By breakfast this morning he was gone - and I believe I heard him and his mum later, chirrupping happily in the hedge.

Yes: I'm sure it was them....

Meanwhile, in Ritz's part of the barn the last of the current batch of swallows has recently fledged. They've spent an unusual amount of time in the building, perfecting their flying skills and receiving a constant supply of flies from their parents. And they have made quite an impression - depositing serious quantities of guano on every surface beneath them.

Which brings to mind two questions concerning birds:-

1 Why don't birds drop from the sky when they die?

(I know Elton John's already asked this question but did he ever get an answer??)

and

2 How is it, with so many birds in the sky, that we are not constantly pooped on from above?

(Answers on a postcard please.....)

Much as I love the little swallows with their constant chittering and chattering, I shall not be too sad when this nest load finally take to the skies for good!