A turf war has broken out in the garden. In anticipation of spring, resident blue tits have been refurbishing the bird box and already lined it with moss. The peace of the neighbourhood was shattered this morning when a gang of marauding sparrows swooped into the garden and cast covetous eyes over the desirable residence.
The blue tits didn't give up easily. Latching onto the chest of a cock sparrow the incumbant gave him a meaningful peck before taking to the air with the tit still hanging onto his feathers. In their absence a hen sparrow ambushed a second blue tit in the act of claiming back the box. A cacophany of sound that was less than musical shattered the stillness of the morning.
As an observer, immediately human values come into play. The blue tits were there first, so surely they have a right of occupation? Sparrows are immediately labelled as aggressors, usurpers, interlopers, trouble makers. On the other hand, blue tits are commonplace in our garden whereas over the years sparrows have declined so that seeing one is something to remarked upon.
Everything is now silent. Have the sparrows given up and gone away? Have the blue tits barricaded themselves in and refused to come out? Perhaps bird life is too short to hang around rowing over a tiny piece of territory. It would be a loss though, if both families called it a day, leaving an empty, abandoned pied a terre. Meanwhile, I will just keep listening and looking.
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