Time to fly the nest.

The swallow chicks are 19 days old, the parents, along with others have swirled and swooped by the nest, encouraging the chicks to flySwallowFamily30July2011.
Eventually all three do take to the air, fortunately, after a short flight they return to perch on the pergola in the courtyard. The parents remain nearby, watching their progress and occasionally feeding the chicks. A short toed eagle flew over and all the swallows noted it’s presence, however the chicks are too big to take on now.