Pecking Order

There has been something of feathered warfare going on in the garden over the last few weeks. Most of the battles seem to have been over possession of an ivy bush which grows up an old line post. At this time of the year, the blackbirds are particularly covetous of the berries that are now ripening, and although there are enough berries to feed most of the neighbourhood birds, still the battles rage.


Blackbird waiting for attackers

A pair of blackbirds is fiercely defending against not only other blackbirds with attitude and ambition, but also thrushes and starlings. Starlings generally seem to accept most other birds but not other starlings, with which they squabble noisily.


Cock of the north!

The sparrows, some 10 or 12 are nesting in the bush, don’t seem to mind sharing the food as they don’t seem to eat it, but they fight over the seed feeder with the green finches. We also have a pair of robins nesting in the ivy that will fight with almost any other birds irrespective of size. Talk about pecking order; I see now where the phrase comes from.


Pigeons seem pretty oblivious to all comers. But they do have size on their side.

The other territory that needs defending is the feeder.


Sparrow Feeding


Greenfinch Feeding. This picture replaces the previous out of focus shot. This chap was much more obliging.