Partridge chicks

[snake]

Little balls of fluff with legs.
This is the first brood of partridge chicks I have seen this year, hopefully the first of many. She actually had 13 babies but I could not get them all in the pic.
Its a good job she has such a large brood. Along with the problem of predation and the chicks finding enough food, the warm dry weather over the last few months has baked the ground dry. There are large cracks everywhere in all the fields, some up to 10cm wide and 50cm deep.
If the little guys fall down these cracks they will never get out.
Lets hope mum can keep them safe.

[GME]

All together now... Awwww Just too cute

[Ladywell]

Lovely photograph!! I see them just up from our house on a quiet lane. Think I am correct in saying that they will collect chicks from other broods as well? I have seen as many as 19 together!