DISASTER BECKONS FOR TWO HOUSE MARTIN CHICKS - UNTIL GRIMSBY PAINTER SAVES THE DAY

                                                                 

Watched by an inquisitive colleague, Brian checks the chicks

A KIND-hearted Grimsby painter and decorator today came to the rescue of two stricken birds. 

While working on the ongoing makeover of The Kingsway hotel on Cleethorpes seafront, Brian Portlock has been following the fortunes of two pairs of house martins that have made their unusual mud nests under the eaves.

But this morning near-disaster struck.

Part of one of the nests became detached from the front wall and fell 25ft to the ground - taking with it two of the chicks.

They seemed no worse for their ordeal but risked starvation because they were no longer being fed - their sole diet is flying insects - by their parents.

Quick-thinking Brian scooped them up, put them into a Weetabix cardboard box and placed it  on the scaffolding platform under the nest - then went off for his lunch break.

When he returned, oh no! The chicks were back on the ground.

This time more drastic action was required. 

One by one, Brian, of Portlock Painting, picked up the birds, cupped his hands and tossed them high into the sky.

To the delighted astonishment  both of him and their parents, the chicks spread their wings and circled the hotel like free spirits.

One quickly ran out of puff and fell back down to the ground, so Brian had to do a repeat - but this time it flew off.

“It was great to see them flying free,” he said. “Strange as it may seem, I felt responsible for their welfare - like a third parent.

“It was a moment of magic to see them fluttering in the sky with their parents, apparently none the worse for their ordeal.”

See also: https://bit.ly/2DWgJ50

                                          

Inside the box - part of the nest and two chicks

                                   

Close-up of one of the martins - note the distinctive white rump 

                                

Brian takes the box up to the scaffolding platform

                                          

The Kingsway - Brian has refrained from painting the section of wall under the eaves until after the martins have left