Why is it...

[spanna]

That every time an unseasonal storm comes through, your most precious fledglings decide its a great day to leap head first into a wet and windy world?!?! Seriously, I end up soaked to the bone just going out to check they're still in a nice sheltered area. I've been keeping a very close eye on a pair of my redbrows who have already had 2 failed nests this season, and had 5 in the nest going quite well. I was worried they would abandon again so have been checking to make sure all is well, if not was prepared to hand rear.

This morning, the strongest 2 were sitting in a bush out in the rain!! Seriously guys, not clever. Parents soon had them back in a nice warm spot though so I left them be. Checked the nest with my handy dandy borescope (seriously good investment I think, and a handy gadget to have around the place ) and 2 others look like they will take the jump tomorrow or the day after, while the smallest looks like its still a week off!! No idea why one would be so far behind the others, but will keep a close eye on it and see if my assistance is needed in case parents won't feed it when the others have fledged.

Glad they finally fledged some young, but they couldn't have picked a worse day to do it!!! Thunder, lightning and rain have been almost nonstop all day long!! Best time to stay in the nest I would think, but they always beg to differ!!! So often I've found new fledglings on miserable days like this, always wonder why!!

[jusdeb]

One of lifes mysteries Spanna . Guess they cant be cute and smart at the same time lol.

[Pete Sara]

mate I was in mine for about 5 minutes puttting in more live food and lightning hit somthing closeby, oh boy did I use a few expletives.....what a day.....pete

[flap]

Congrats on the new arrivals Spanna. Yes, birds not renowned for their intelligence me thinks... Tell me about the borescope, sounds intriguing. what is it, what does it do and where do I get myself one?
Hoping that today's weather won't be as wild as yesterday, it was just like the middle of winter again!

[vettepilot_6]

Congrats on the new arrivals Spanna. Yes, birds not renowned for their intelligence me thinks... Tell me about the borescope, sounds intriguing. what is it, what does it do and where do I get myself one?
Hoping that today's weather won't be as wild as yesterday, it was just like the middle of winter again!

Have a look at this site Flap http://www.chinavasion.com/search?q=borescope&Submit=GO" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[finchbreeder]

Congratulations Spanna. And I hope you guys in the big smoke have a nice fine day like we are today.
LML

[spanna]

Weather is much better today. Little ones all doing well. Some of the most coordinated young I've had. Zipping around the aviary, leaping from branch to branch with the confidence and ease of their parents.

I got the borescope from eBay a while back. It's essentially a small camera at the end of a long thin tube, with the batteries, video display and controls on a small handheld device. This one has some small led lights on the end which are perfect for lighting up the nest, and I think even detecting clear eggs (haven't checked too many nests at this early stage yet).

While I usually try and avoid nest checks with most birds, I was super frustrated with abandoned redbrow nests, so wanted to be able to check nests in an unobtrusive manner, without leaving my scent on the nest. So far this has worked perfectly, as I have checked the nests of redbrows, double bars and diamonds and none have been abandoned. The camera tube is flexible but holds its shape under its own weight. Mine also has a few attachments for the camera tip, thought I don't really find these necessary at the moment.

[flap]

Vette and Spanna, thanks for link and explanation. I liked the sound of the toy but probably don't need one... Just need to leave the birds alone until chicks hatch (or not). Getting better at that!