It’s been a grumpy sort of day. Quite apart from the cold, damp, weather there have been disputes all over the garden. The first was an unexpected spat between what appeared to be a male and a female blackbird. There was a mix of seed and mealworms spread on the grass and they were several feet apart, when the male bird flew at the female and drove her off. He was left with a beak full of feathery down and was well served because he couldn’t then spit it out and spent a couple of minutes wiping his beak on the ground to try to dislodge it.
The next disturbance was an undignified scrap between two wood pigeons which scattered the sparrows and siskins on the lawn. They retreated to the hedge motel, where one or two heads poked out to survey the ongoing battle. One bird was slightly smaller and at one point appeared to submit. Having been stamped on, it ducked its head down to the ground and stayed still, then stood up, edged a little closer and did it again. It looked like a gesture of submission but actually proved to be a ruse to get close enough to attack again.
Finally, although there was more than enough space in the water tray, a sparrow trying to get a bath, was repeatedly chased off by a starling. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a more peaceful day.
thekitchensinkbirdwatcher 