B Junior

This young blackbird is now visiting regularly. I assume she's young as the bill isn't fully yellow.

Twice, while I watched her, a male blackbird was above me in the back lilac subsinging away. I couldn't record him as the road was too noisy and he was high up. It was lovely to hear.

I adore hearing the little clucking noises blackbirds make when, it seems, they are anxious. They do this when they are close to me - as though it's a way to self-talk themselves into courage.

It would be wonderful to have the kind of relationships with birds that Len Howard had. With them trusting her, coming when she called, asking for her help, even, at times, caring for her. Alas, that's not the case with these birds. Sensibly they still think human equals threat, even if they see me as a somewhat less likely threat.