So cute - 8 chicks!

 

Empty nest syndrome!!!

(Click on pics to enlarge)

I just checked the eggs and only two hadn't hatched so there may have been 9 chicks but I only managed to count 8.

Mother Pheasant moved the chicks from the nest late afternoon yesterday.

Can you spot her - lurking under my Delphinium with all of the chicks under her wings!

This is the end of the garden nearest to the path round to the field.

I think she was hoping for an early morning getaway.

 At about 9 this morning I just happened to look out of my lounge window to see this.......

 They had followed their mum down the path to the lawn and set off round the edge toward the field.

Suddenly the tiny chicks scattered.
Can you see the huge bumblebee on the right - it gave them quite a fright - but I guess they had never seen anything so large and buzzy yet!!

 What a sensible mum to lead them down the flower border along the fence to the edge of the field.

 Can you spot her in the undergrowth at the edge of the garden waiting for them all to come to her?

 Once they were all together, she lead them under the wire fence (my dear hubby was whistling the tune to "The Great Escape" as this was happening!).
They seemed delighted to be able to roam and feed in the field.
She kept clucking to them and they all tucked under her wings if she bobbed down.

Now they are halfway down the field so I doubt we will see them again.
I always thought pheasants were silly birds but this one certainly knew what she was doing.
Job well done girl!

Thanks for all your comments - I am glad I am not totally bonkers and that others are just as fascinated by nature as I am.

x Jo