All chicks have fledged!

Yesterday there was a lot of wing-flapping inside the bird-box and birds were all the time jumping to the opening to peek outside. They were also fed by their parents when perched in the opening.

The video below shows the situation inside the bird-box about one hour before the first bird fledged. You can see one bird jumping from the opening and going back again.

One hour before fledging

Yesterday evening around 17:00 three chicks fledged despite heavy rain (I just missed it when I was having an early dinner!)

Around 19:30 that evening, #4 and #5 also fledged. I saw it happening live.

The last two birds spent their last night in the bird-box and fledged this morning just after 7:00 within one minute of each other (also seen live)

The last two birds sleeping their last night in the bird-box

Like with previous nests, the mother still visited the empty bird-box a few times this morning just to make sure no chicks were left behind.

This nest has been the most successful to date with seven fledged chicks:

2012: 9 eggs, nest abandoned after cat attack
2013: No nest
2014: 12 eggs, 11 hatched, 3 fledged
2015: No nest
2016: 10 eggs, 10 hatched, 7 fledged

Great compliments to the dedicated parents who kept the food coming!