Baby birds

I saw a baby redstart leave the nest and flap fatly down to the terrace floor! It was out on the ledge so I stayed very still, watching from the bedroom window, as the mother bird flew up and down in demonstration and nudged it in encouragement. It turned round a few times and stretched, and then suddenly hopped off the edge and made a wobbly diagonal. It's amazing how such a fluffy ball can manage the flight with wings that have never been used. The parent looks so svelte next to it.

I can't hang out the washing because the mother bird is in such a panic that every time I move in the kitchen she comes right up to the door and shouts at me. If I go out there she'll probably have a heart attack.