The windy season in the Cape has arrived with a vengeance. The South Easterlies pump in over the south Atlantic hurling in at gale force and are ever challenging for the residents of the Peninsula. Here in our backyard a small drama unfolds as three fledgling Cape wagtails battle to cope with the elements. As it happens the yard is a sheltered haven, but risky in that the downdrafts have an equally upward motion, and the first of the fledglings out of the nest got scooped up and deposited way downstream. The other two luckily, landed plump-side up and have stayed within the confines of the walls for the last couple of days, trying out short flight paths between the garden terraces. We admire their hard-working industrious parents who must provide the meals. The whole process of choosing the nesting site, to construction material highlights their experience in parenting skills.
This is their second brood of the season, the first hatch produced one strong, rotund dumpling of a chick. It was independent within a fortnight and thereafter the parents went straight back to producing their next hatch.
Their wings appear to be perfectly formed for flight, although their tail feathers must still increase in length.
The parents worked hard that first day, relaying food to the two above as well as locating the chick which had been whisked away by the wind. By nightfall they managed to ‘fly’ it back to the nest.
Both parents are providing a variety of insects including – moths, worms, coachroaches, flies, ants.
Robert’s Birds of South Africa record that incubation averages 13 -14 days; nestlings 14 – 21 days – both parent feed. Two broods a year are recorded in the Cape, while generally three in Gauteng.
Nature on the Edge 
What incredible parents being able to rescue their baby!
Yes, extraordinary instincts… and persistence/ perseverance. A few weeks back we had one hell of a storm which caused much damage and yet the parents managed to weather that as well, all the while keeping up with providing a menu of tasty insects.
I LOVE these beautiful glimpses of flora and fauna you offer from your neck of the woods.
That’s a wonderful comment – thank you Susanne.
They are so brave.
They’re quite amazing – yes fearless, and working their little wings off 🙂 Thanks for commenting Daisy.
The little ones are so cute, and your photos brilliant Liz!
That they are – gorgeous little fluff balls! They’re beginning to look bigger than their parents:) Thanks for commenting:)
Beautiful little glimpse into the lives of this lovely family. Thank-you! I was so pleased to hear that mum and dad managed to find their lost baby and get him or her safely home.
A beautiful chronicle of survival and precious life. Thank you.
Thanks for the comments Elena 🙂 The saga continues …
Beautiful shots, I liked the last two most 🙂
Thanks! It’s fascinating seeing what’s on the menu 🙂
A beautiful post which reminds us how precious every life is. Thank you for sharing this, Liz.
I’m going to send this post (and hopefully an ongoing relationship with your blog) to two sometimes-homesick South Africans I’ve recently met. Your blog makes me see what they miss.
Thank you Tzarina 🙂 That’s a very nice gesture – wish i could send them a dose of sizzling sun with the posts…
outstanding!
Wonderful photos. We are fortunate to be blessed with a wagtail nest outside our garage. I feel terrible every time we arrive home or go out as it disturbs the birds. Nevertheless, they always return.
It will be our first nest of any kind and we have 3 eggs!!!! My daughter of 4 is super excited. I came accross your blog hoping to find something to show her and off course what to expect in the next few weeks.
Well it felt like I hit the jackpot with your stunning photos. She cant wait to see our chicks although I think we probably have 10days plus to go.
Thank you for the grate info, we are waotong in anticipation for our chicks to hatch.
Thanks for the comments, Natasha. Wonderful to read that you have a budding little ornithologist there with your 4 year old! You’re in for a treat observing the next stages 🙂 Watch out for the ‘poop’ scoop maneouvre, and the amazing variety of insects on the menu.
beautifully written and photos- I am also watching some little wagtails …
Thanks for your comments. Aren’ They a feisty little species! Hope ‘your’ chicks fledge successfully. It all happens so quickly.