Don't worry. I was so worried about the Decorah eagles- the terrible winds, the unseasonable snow and cold. Now I just saw one of the eaglets fly, it the first time I'd seen it. Is a clutch of 6 normal though- that's a lot of mouths to feed.

One of the chicks is gone

Is it just hiding in the huddle? If one did not survive, I guess that the parents would remove it from the nest to protect the remaining ones. I believe that six was a large number to look after.

Definitely only 5 left. They are big enough to peek over the entrance, maybe one clambered over? Maybe another bird of prey knicked one. Ours eat alot of baby birds. Or maybe it just karked it.

Cannibalism is not uncommon in kestrels. sometimes the smallest (weakest) chick is killed and/or eaten by the others. It might also be one of the other reasons mentioned above. Sad, but nature can be very harsh to young animals. One of the reasons why they have so many nestlings is to make sure one or two survive to breed next year

I just saw them feeding, the mother was giving them a mouse, one of them latched on as the mother flapped to the other side of the box with a swift shake of her head, she almost turfed him out of the box.

That's why I asked-is a clutch of six normal? Life is so fragile- imagine the size of their tiny little hearts.

A clutch of six is large, but not abnormal. Often the last egg of a clutch is laid as " insurance" for if something happens to one of the other chicks. Thus, if there is a lot of food, all will make it, if not, then...

This was written a year ago, but it's spring again and things look interesting in the box so it's time to re-awaken the thread too.
Link to webcam still works.

I had another quick look late last night and there were four eggs in the box but no parents visible - were Mum and Dad out on the town? Hope the eggs stayed nice and warm. I didn't watch for long so it was perhaps just a change of shift.

Wow wow wow! Mum and dad both there at the moment, mum? on the eggs and dad outside keeping watch.
This is the first time I have seen this and it is amazing!!
Thanks Longbyt for resurrecting this thread, it is fascinating watching the birds, can't wait to see the babies.

Edit...Change of shift, 'mum' just flown off for breakfast, and 'dad' taken over sitting on the eggs. The outside camera is a few seconds behind the inside camera.

Noticed today that there are now five eggs! Mum spends most time incubating them but dad does his share too.
(The female has more barred markings, whereas the male has a grey head and tail.)
Just saw dad coming back with a mouse, which he gave to mum, who flew off with it, she mustn't like sharing.

It was mothers' day in many countries including Switzerland yesterday, and right on cue, four babies have hatched!
We were lucky enough to see mum (Bianca) feeding the chicks! Beautiful. I had a look this morning at about 7.20 and she was feeding them again, but I couldn't tell whether the last one had hatched yet.

It's feeding time and I've just done a head count, definitely five!
Will someone tell mum that the little ones at the back want some mouse too! So cute!

I don't see the babies, are they under the bird?

they're getting fed now!!

There's 5 of them but the poor one on the right seems weak, and definitely struggles to get food, unlike the 4 other ones:




Now they are back to rest in a warm place:

The mom put whatever she was eating on the corner, it seems it's their trash

The chicks have had some breakfast and the youngest (Lili) looks less wobbly today, hopefully they will all keep growing bigger and stronger. Dad (Boerni) and mum (Bianca) are good providers and parents.

Looks like the little ones are waking up. Mum and Dad have just been over to check that they are behaving themselves - they flew off again though - maybe off to to pick up something good for tea.

They are really growing aren't they? Have you looked at the video archive and at some of the little animations, comments and pictures?
The other day I was watching the live camera and one of the babies turned around lifted its back end and pooed in the face of another baby. I shouldn't I know, but I laughed out loud. Didn't bother it in the least though, or it didn't want to be seen to be bothered!
I love watching them, it is a real privilege to be able to see them from day to day, changing and growing.

This is a page from yesterday's blog...

http://falken-foermchen.com/wordpress/?p=5404

The babies are emerging into adulthood, or maybe teenagers (!), their fluffy feathers almost gone now, just some left on their wings, legs and their heads. They are starting to stretch and flap their wings.
Anyone know when they start to leave the nest?

http://falken-foermchen.com/wordpress/?p=5663