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I've been watching them for weeks, nesting on top of a downpipe under the eaves near our bedroom window. The same pair had nested there last year. Such a snug place, out of the rain - so close to humans but seemingly knowing we would not hurt them. Mum and Dad followed John around the garden, scoffing up the worms with indecent haste. They became a familiar sight when the chicks hatched - Mum and Dad screaming in with beakfuls of worms and bugs. The chicks got bigger and bigger, all three of them, insatiable in their hunger. Sometimes I wondered how they all managed to fit in the nest with Mum sort of perched on top of them like a hat. She didn't seem to mind when I poked my head out the window and eyed them, so very close. She just ducked her head and pretended she wasn't there.
This morning it happened. When I went out to get the paper they were all on the verge of the nest, poised! Immeditately I looked for Deo, the next-door neighbour's cat. He has been in fledging murder mode. Why is it that this group of fledglings is so special?
Mid-morning only one was left in the nest and I had hosed down Deo and frightened him off. Blackbird 3 was the frightened one. Blackbirds 1 and 2 had gone. He sat there. Now and then he ducked his head and stretched himself like a swimmer ready to dive. But it was too much, fear took over. I couldn't help cheering him on, "Look chick, there's a big wide world out there." He sat there all day with worried Mum zooming in with loads of worms. At four o'clock this afternoon he had gone. I looked in the garden under the nest hoping he had managed to reach a safe perch somewhere. There was a scream and he leapt into the air and flew straight into a window - dropping like a stone into a rose bush.
You'd have thought when I tried to rescue him from the rose bush he'd have been grateful. Not a bit of it. He screamed the place down. Suddenly the air was full of avenging Mum and Dad and a few extra older siblings. "Look I'm sorry" I shouted as Blackbird Three let out one more screawm and leapt from my hands into the undergrowth.
Later I noticed him sitting atop a rose bussh. I didn't go near, I had learned my lesson. I had tracked the others down. Blackbird One was safely asleep in a Budlea Bush. I think Blackbird Two was hidden in the lavender, judging by the intermittent squawks. It was evening and cats were afoot, danger was everywhere.
Before leaving I said "I hope you are still here tomorrow, my darlings." Deo was nowhere in sight.
Editor's note:
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