News from the RSPB site

The hobby chicks have hatched in the New Forest, the RSPB can reveal. Two eggs hatched on Thursday [17 July], with the final chick making an appearance early Saturday morning [19 July].

Corina Lewington, Aren't birds brilliant! Officer, said: 'After a nail biting week, we finally have some chicks. Mum started to fidget around, a sure sign something was about to happen, then suddenly a chick appeared.

'We've had some downpours recently, and were a bit concerned as to how this might affect the eggs, but all three look to be healthy.

'As the chicks have only just hatched they are still very small and downy, but if people log-on over the next four weeks they should be able to watch their rapid progress. We've already witnessed the female feeding her chicks a few times, which has been fascinating to watch.'

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