Bernard Blackbird

Bernard is very old, though how old nobody knows. Most days he appears by the kitchen door for his treat of mealworms, the occasional grape or a piece of apple. He built a nest in the Cotoneaster bush by the garage this summer with his partner, who mysteriously vanished, leaving poor Bernard alone to bring up their single youngster (only one of four eggs hatched). He proved incapable and unfortunately it died in the nest. Since then, Bernard has been unsuccessful with the ladies (though not through lack of trying) and remains on his own. There is even little joy in the mealworms, for Bert the sparrow often darts in and steals them from his very beak. No wonder he looks sad.