Abandoned Property. The old Carer was looking glum. She got her brother to help trim back the bay tree by the wall, only to discover that the pair of blackbird persons had been trying to build a nest in it. After they discovered me and my newfound tabby-and-white friend on the wall taking a close interest in birds’ nests, they promptly abandoned the project. Alas, a week later the male blackbird person, recognised by the white spot under his right eye, returned alone and visited the nest. I guess they couldn’t afford to be rehoused in other accommodation in this gentrifying neighbourhood, the old Carer mused. I tried to tell her the squirrel persons would have raided the nest for eggs anyway, as I saw them in the magpie persons nest, who then abandoned their tree. This year crows (I hesitate to dignify them as ‘persons’ as they have a brutal way of muscling in to other peoples’ territory) have occupied the same nest, and I don’t think the squirrels want to mess with them. This seems to remind me of stories about ethnic cleansing…