The first brood of grey wagtails are out…

The local pair of grey wagtails that spend their days flycatching over the running water for lacewings and now mayflies have had a nest in a high wall behind the terrace of houses that looks out over the bend in the river Ariège. After a lot of noise recently from the anxious parents by the nest, the same calls were this morning coming from the riverside; the pair has managed to fledge at least two young which are now, for the most part, sitting fluffed up and helpless on the edge of the water and being fed by both parents. When one arrives with a loaded beak, the youngster starts to shiver, then gape and then accept the proffered food. Soon after, tit is again fluffed up and motionless waiting for the next delivery. Clearly this has to stop soon, but the young have weak wings and short tails and none of the extraordinary, aerial dexterity and flycatching proficiency of the parents.

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