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The Blackbird war is over. Or at least the battle for this little piece of territory is over, and the war has moved on to another garden.

Since they all look the same I am not sure who won, but the tactics became quite interesting.

Initially it was simple antisocial behaviour - one bird would be feeding and the other would chase it away, and then vice versa.

Over time it developed and at its finest involved one of them hiding in the crook of a branch waiting to dive-bomb any tresspasser. The other chap would prepare himself in the garden next door, out of sight of the sentinal. Then he would fly up and over the fence, skimming the top of it, before dropping down toward the feed area. He would literally hit the ground running and eat as much food as he could before the sentinal fell out of the sky like Zodiac Mindwarp.

More drama than the average action movie.

There were occasional civilian casualties - usually Wood Pigeons, who are (a) ever-present; and (b) pussies when there is any violence going down. The tiny birds took it all in their stride, remaining focused on the seed-feeder relay which seems to occupy most of their waking hours.

As one war ends another begins - the Robin has taken great exception to the arrival of a Dunnock and is being quite unpleasant about it. No Christmas card cuteness from this particular red-breasted psychopath.