What has happened to rewind? It stops at 6pm yesterday so I can't catch up with todays viewing - although it doesn't sound very good from fellow bloggers on the osprey site, so maybe just as well.

So upset little one seems to have passed away. I know it happens but it so sad it didn't make it. What is sadder is that the 2 larger chicks have moved away from it. Will the parents remove it from the nest.

Doesn't look like the one made it this is to sad but nature has its ownways of doing things

Teatime....but only two chicks appear to be getting fed. Will the wee one survive? Now snuggling down for a sleep...funny antics, one of the chicks doesn't want to lie down and 'Mum' pecking gently, as if to put him/her in their place!!!

mid pm The male was bringing in a succession of insects, eliciting stronger calls from the two larger young - in fact, already beginning to resemble the adult hobby call. Researchers have found the incidence of chick mortality to be very low in hobbies - no more than 3% if at all - so 'our' youngest may be one of those rare casualties. Strange considering that food should be plentiful in this weather. It was interesting to catch the instinctive behaviour of one nestling defecating over the rim of the nest - for the benefit of nest hygiene.

7am Breakfast being served......again wee one got nothing. Doesn't seem to be being prevented by others or pushing forward....is this normal or is chick becoming weak? I hope not.

another feed at 16.20 they all seemed to get a good share, and then snuggled down for a good sleep under mum.
I wish the rewind would start at most recent first as have to nudge on from the 16th - but no matter this is great to have as can catch up after work. This is an fantastic site - much appreciated.

1515 Unusually, the male brought what looked like a decapitated bird corpse to the nest and himself fed the two larger chicks (no. 3 seemed not to get any). Note how he 'talks' to them whilst feeding - 'tzik ......tzik' For half an hour either side of his visit there's been persistent hobby calling in the vicinity.

Is the youngest chick OK. Have been watching all morning and can only see 2. I hope all is OK

14:20, That's a relief can see 3 chicks and the smallest one seems to be getting some.

15:22, Good on you Mum making sure the smallest chick get some food as well.

1722 Bird delivered which might have been a house martin - a favoured prey species. I wonder how far is the nearest martin colony?

A corvid is a member of the crow family and in this context the Carrion Crow is the potential egg or possibly nestling predator. Ravens have been known to plunder a hobby nest too. But, more importantly, crows provide the bulk of all hobby nests like this one. Yes, my impression is that Junior is losing out on the feeds - but I suspect he or she will catch up during the coming 3-4 weeks.

Anthony, what is a Corvid? I am new to this bird watching but have learned so much from this and RSPB websites.....fascinating!
Do you think the last 'born' is getting his/her share?

She brought in a dragonfly (hawker species?) @1431 then 1437 and 1501 preceded by the usual calling at the male's delivery. It will be interesting to see if these figure more in the diet during this warm spell. The nestlings all respond immediately to the female's 'tzik' calls by begging.

c1030 The female's rapid exit from the nest followed by a period of frantic calling in the vicinity suggested to me that she was seeing off an avian intruder. Hobbies (and particularly the female when with young) defend their nest site and an immediate territory of up to c200m against corvids or other birds of prey - potential plunderers of the eggs or nestlings. Dare I say that the goshawk has become a menace to young hobbies? It's also possible that she was reacting to another hobby or had been disturbed by humans. But then she eventually brought in food so perhaps this was her usual begging behaviour on the return of the successfully hunting male.

8am. 'Mum' back with more food all chicks seem ravenous and 3rd. one getting a share!
Question: feeding time doesn't last very long.....is this normal. I get the feeling the chicks do not get enough.

6.36am Chicks alone on nest..aren't they growing!!! Very active with lots of pushing , shoving, going round in circles and pecking.
7.00am..Mum back with breakfast...1st./2nd 'born' seem to be getting most of it...3rd.chick not even trying for food!!!
Feeding time only lasted about 4mins. and female went back to brooding, wee one not fed......is this normal behaviour? (Lots of food left)

11:21 - Little bit of 'rough' pecking taking place between 1st/2nd.? chicks....3rd. chick pushed his/her way through middle.....all cuddled in again.
Mum back ...no food this time.
Forgot to ask...will chicks be ringed?

Answer from ABB:
Although no definite decision has been made yet, it is unlikely the chicks will be ringed.

14:32 - Feeding time again 'babies' so close they look like a 'three headed' Hobby!! Mum walking round the chicks to make sure they all get some or is their funny wobbling making it more difficult for her?

16:19 - Feeding time again...great to get full face view..... don't they grow up too fast.

Re. Titch's comment, the male delivers fresh prey to the female which she normally brings straight to the nest (as we've been observing), but one researcher in a Hampshire study did see a female hobby stache food nearby. Only the observers can say where the male is roosting but we can expect this to be nearby, and he will certainly be perched vigilantly when not away hunting.
This 24/7 observation of the hobby nest is certainly providing us with a valuable record of behaviour that is not often seen - quite apart from the sheer pleasure of admiring these beautiful birds close up!

A special thanks to Peter for helping me to 'tune in' to Hobby Rewind.....if you ned help you now know where to go! Just to keep you busy Peter!

6.45am Breakfast time and all three 'babies' seem to be getting a share!! Close up pics. are fabulous. Keep up the good work!

I'm so impressed with the daily blog and have just been watching today's feeding sessions, didn't realise the time, nearly midnight! MUCH BETTER THAN TV. Thanks to all those who obviously work so hard to keep us informed.