Out of the nest!

Yesterday I was watching all the wing-flapping and practising going on in the nest and couldn't understand how they didn't fall out! A mug of tea on my desk inside went cold whilst I was out there, I couldn't tear myself away.

Just as I was waking up this morning I heard a lot of noise from outside and when I went to see how things were today I found the nest empty!

However the youngsters hadn't gone very far - they were all perched on nearby little branches, just a short hop from the nest. It was quite difficult to get this picture because the parents are more protective than ever.