Bog Myrtle & Peat

My partridge chicks are still thriving at eight weeks old, and they are beginning to develop into their adult plumage as the summer begins to slide into autumn. The first flecks of powder blue breast feathers appeared last week, and now they are starting to show the fragmented foundations of chestnut bars on their flanks. They all escaped a few days ago, and it was impressive to see them flying powerfully off into the middle distance like adult birds. Thankfully they returned within an hour or two, and were soon picking around the yard with their mother. The youngsters have been separated from the broody now, and I gather that she has started to lay eggs again. The bond which held them all together is now broken, and these little birds are well on their way to independence.

In the meantime, they are so active and wild that it’s almost impossible to photograph them – that much is clear from this blurry, out-of-focus attempt (above).