Swallow babies

Over a couple of weeks we watched these baby swallows fledge and learn to fly. 
Very VERY badly at first. Pretty much like a child doggy-paddling -- lots of wing movement but very little forward progression. You could practically see the panic on their faces - and their relief when their  feet  landed on something that might be ground.

 (And watched the parents boldly see off kestrels, sparrowhawks and marsh harriers - dive-bombing and mobbing most fearlessly in defence of their bumbling chicks)


Their home was only eight or so feet up so we got an excellent view. We thought there were only four chicks, but later it turned  out they had all been warming their  feet on a squashed little fifth, stuck at the bottom of the nest.