Just when I thought my blackbird babysitting duties were over, the garden’s resident pair surprised me with a second brood…
Again, there were three chicks. Two looked noticeably older, already well feathered and far more sensible. They spent most of their time hiding in bushes and keeping out of sight whenever anything moved.
The third chick, however, had entirely different ideas.
Smaller than its siblings and looking rather dishevelled, as though it had dressed itself in a hurry, it quickly became my favourite. While the others treated the garden as a dangerous wilderness, this little bird approached life with remarkable confidence. Or perhaps a complete lack of common sense.
As with the previous brood, I kept a watchful eye on the youngsters and put out plenty of grapes for the parents. By this point, the adult blackbirds seemed to have decided that I was part of the team. My role appeared to be somewhere between security guard and emergency food supplier. 😊
The trust they showed was extraordinary. The parents regularly fed their chicks right in front of me, seemingly unconcerned by my presence. On more than one occasion they even tolerated me handling the smallest fledgling, only calling it away when it was time for dinner.
The highlight came one quiet afternoon when the little blackbird settled into my hand and simply fell asleep. For a few precious minutes, I sat completely still while this tiny wild creature dozed peacefully. Its eyelids drooped, its feathers fluffed up, and all the caution that wild animals usually carry seemed to melt away.
It is difficult to describe how special that felt.
The fledglings have all moved on now, exploring the wider world beyond the garden. The grapes disappear more slowly, and the garden feels a little less busy than it did a few days ago.
But I will not soon forget the smallest chick of the brood — the scruffy little blackbird who charmed his way into my heart, and gave me one of the most wonderful wild experiences I have ever had.
I have decided to draw my cute little friend, and, while it was pretty challenging with all his ‘scruffiness’, I loved rendering every bit of fluff and tiny feathers. I guess this gave me an opportunity to love and appreciate this fleeting moment once more. 🥰
