August 28th 06

During the last while, on the odd occasion I’ve peered through the window, I can make out the odd shapes of three little birds in the gloom of the shed. The seem to be nothing but three large mouths,which appear lined with white pencil, looking expectedly towards the door. They’re incredibly silent little creatures no clamouring like my jackdaws next door who cause such a racket when sensing food approaching. Perhaps the swallows on a more vulnerable perch have been warned to stillness and silence by their mother, should any strange creature be lurking round the window. Later as they grow quite bulky I wonder how the fragile girth of the nest will hold.