LAST year, when I originally started this blog, I told of open warfare involving various birds trying to nest in ivy at the back of our house.
Back then, robins fought with wrens, then blackbirds fought with robins, all for the privilege of nesting there.
In the end, the robins won out and successfully raised chicks.
Well, blackbirds and robins went to war again this year to nest there but this time the blackbirds came out on top.
As I write this, I can hear their chicks cheeping in a nest beneath my window.
The vanquished robins have vanished, which is a shame because they are one of my favourite birds.
But it has not been all plain sailing for Mother Blackbird (who, of course, is actually brown in colour)
The other morning, at about 5am, I was woken by a commotion, during which I heard the croak of a crow close to the window.
I knew what was coming next.
Bleary-eyed, I tried to think what to do but by then the crow had already pounced on the nest.
Both parent blackbirds went potty trying to drive it away yet it was already too late.
It must have snatched one, maybe two chicks, for its breakfast.
Grisly stuff.
Later on, using a stepladder, I carefully checked the nest and there were at least three chicks remaining.
But how long they'll survive is anyone's guess.