Frogmouth dramas

A strong squall came through in the afternoon of 25 November and blew one of the chicks from its very exposed roost (roughly position 1) on to the ground.  
It was able to launch itself back into the air - I think quite a feat for a bird only 4 days out of the nest - and made it to a small Acacia (about 10m from the roost).  It was about 1.5m off the ground so I thought quite safe.  The male adult was calling to it and after a few minutes took off to another large Acacia dealbata ( position 2 - about 15m from the roost).  The second chick then joined the adult.  

About 40 minutes later the three of them were all together again in the large Acacia.  The chicks were well snuggled under the adult - it seemed rather like a joey seeking shelter in Mum's pouch.  I didn't take any photographs of this as getting blown around was probably enough stress for them in one day.

Today (26/11) I went to look for them and found the whole family at approximately position 3.
This is a close up of Mum: she was a tad difficult to spot initially, and this makes me wonder if she has been lurking here throughout the brooding period.
 Here is Dad and the chicks.
 Both parents seemed to be zoning out, while the chicks were very alert.  Frances commented that when she was watching them yesterday they had been very interested in a begging Australian Magpie on the ground below their tree.
The following day Dad and the chicks were in a new roost: a very exposed dead branch towards  rgw ford over Whiskers Creek.  On the 27th they had moved back up the Hill and spent the rather wet day perched on the rail fence near the bore.
On the 29th, Mum reappeared near the others back in the eucalypts behind our Leylandii cypress.
 One of the chicks seems to be practising the "you can't see me" pose while the other adheres to the steely gaze.


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