Martin Came To Stay

I was having a little wander round the front of the estate when all of a sudden I was dive-bombed by these little birds. I hadn't seen them before so I waited to see what they were. They were weaving in and out at terrific speed and flying so close to the house I thought they were going to crash.

"Be careful you'll hurt yourselves!" I blurted out without thinking.

"No we won't and it's no good you thinking you'll catch us because we're too fast for a fat cat like you!"

Oh no that word again. The diet. The vet. It all came flooding back. Maybe I should chase after them and show them that I am solid muscle without an ounce of fat on me. That would make them sit up and take notice.

"I don't want to catch you. I was just worried at the speed you fly and so close to the house"

"That's cos we are house martins. We fly close to houses so we can nest there. Are you aure you don't want to eat us or our babies?"

"No I am friends with all the birds round here Mr Martin. I look after the babies while the Dads go out looking for food. I'm Max and Sebastian's brother."

"Oh you know the old timers? That's cool. Guess we can trust you then and my name's not Mr Martin"

he flew down and landed on a patch of grass a little way from me. there were several others flying around watching closely. I clearly had won over the leader and he had come to chat.

"Where do you live in the house then?" I asked in all innocence. "I haven't seen you or your family about before.

"We don't live in the house. We live up there where you and your like can't get us." He raised his wing towards the roof of the house.

"But that's just a bit of mud stuck to the side of the house" I said insensitively.

"Maybe to you but to us it's home. We are raising six youngsters up there. They are all starting to fly. We built the house ourselves out of spit and sticks and mud. It lasts us the season and then the rains come and wash it away and we have to start again"

"Wow you are builders as well. I'll call you if I need an extension to my living accommodation"

"You can call matey but don't expect an answer!"

With that they flew off and disappeared into their little hiome.

I wonder if I can get up there somehow to have a look inside.