In Len Howard's Birds as Individuals, great tits are the focus. They, she feels, are the smartest of the garden birds and she had the closest relationships with them.
As Grey Crown had shown some interest in me, I hoped I could forge a relationship. The other day, he was shelling sunflower seeds above my head and when I stood up, he stayed were he was - just eighteen inches from my face.
Today, I heard him repeat the two dull notes of my "I'm here" whistle... so I figured that he was ripe for a relationship.
As he shows an interest in peanuts, I held one out on my hand. He was not impressed. But he did do three fly-pasts - virtually skimming my head with his wings. This felt like he was having fun, being daring.
I was squatting at the top of the path. Watching the rat eat the bird food and a young dunnock decide that she really was brave enough to have a go. She only agreed to come down when a robin landed. This was interesting, as it was not Son of Bob, nor was it Tiny, who was whizzing back and forth and too scared to take the food.
This judging by the lost feathers on the breast - was Original Bob in the middle of his moult... still.
Grey Crown also took food from the box.
But the coolest part came afterwards and was not caught on film.
I was squatting next to a saucer of water. GC hopped toward it, flew off then attached himself to the fence just behind me like Spiderman. After that, he flew back to the ground and hopped right up to the saucer. He perched on the rim. This I saw in my peripheral vision - moving only my eyes. But as he perched there, I turned my head. He was right next to me! I looked down, he looked up and he drank and drank.
Just maybe... one day....
A fine list of characters. And there's the suspense of what happens next and by whom. I like that the dunnock is there in the "wings" and part of the plot.