It’s just over a week since we spotted Upf’rit at the bird table, and we are pleased to report that he has become a regular visitor once more. His wing, though still being carried at what might be described as ‘a jaunty angle’, does not look as painfully realigned as it did when he was first spotted back in January. Presumably he has spent some time under the guidance of the local avian physio.
With this improvement in his appearance has come a new assertiveness – not that he was ever the shy retiring sort. But a new-found confidence has allowed him to stand up for his territorial rights and we have watched him over the last couple of days challenging another male to cross that line in the sand (or, in our case, gravel).
We presume that, with the onset of colder weather, Upf’rit will remain a regular in the feeding zone, along with all the other usual suspects, the two pheasants, the two collared doves, the two robins, the greater spotted woodpecker, the nuthatch, the barmy wagtail, the flurry of assorted tits, chaffinches and dunnocks and, lest we forget, the sparrows of 633 Squadron.