Keeping track

I was minding my own business by the back lilac when suddenly a two pairs of beating wings flapped and squawked at my head. The blackbirds fighting again. Something about the Blackbird Child seems to have increased everyone's anxiety.

Then one of the males was on the fence, shouting in resentment or triumph.

One of them is still diligently collecting food. I watched him peck, peck, peck, seeming to drop as much as he collected. It took ages. He stood in the saucer, scratching his feet back, as if that would help.

The Child started flying around a bit.

Later it was in the back lilac, and I briefly thought there were three, but the other two were actually Starling Children. Yes, the Hooligans are back.

That, though, was the last time I saw the Blackbird Child. I hope it has just been out of sight.

The Mrs Blackbirds are now shier than the males, a turnaround from previous personality displays. I have not seen any interaction between a female and the Child.