Monday 12 May 2008

Shooting Starlings….

I remember when I was young the horror of having starlings suddenly flying down the chimney and into the living room in a 'phut' of grey ash and flickering feathers which would invariably be accompanied by cacophony of squawks and screeches from sundry species.
It would usually end with the poor bird up against the window panting, while we, in the opposite corners, would be doing the same and my father would be surveying grimly the destruction of the best room.
It used to happen on frequent occasions as the poor birds tried and tried again to build their nest at the top of the chimney but it was not until the said nest got stuck and caused a fire that my father decided action had to be taken.
After trying every conceivable way to get rid of the little "S**Ts" as he called them and being driven to distraction he decided it was war and went into commando mode. The Full Monty in the back garden with his tent and camouflage - I believe he even painted himself. I'm afraid the starlings didn't stand a chance. BUT, there is always a but, they did get their own back sort of...it must have been the final days of the siege and Dad shot one. It landed with a plunk on top of the ridge of the barn opposite his bedroom window. It lay there with its feet akimbo a "V" sign, which Dad had to endure for many, many months afterwards....

6 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

Your dad always sounds real character - I can imagine how delighted he was to have to look at a constant V sign!

Norma Murray said...

It's a while since a starling visited us in that manner. Your dad must have been one hell of a shot to actually hit a starling.

Pipany said...

Love the stories of your dad Tattie - such a great image of him brandishing a gun xx

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

Bad Bad Milla . . .I hate shooting . . . but yes your Dad does sound a character Tattie. . . Feel sorry for the Starlings though.

Un Peu Loufoque said...

I loev stasrligs we have thousands of them here who roost in out bamboo .

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Brilliant! Sods law and a what goes around comes around moment from the bird's final salute to your dad!

Go on you know you want to...

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