Letting The Jackdaw Live

My house is plagued by Jackdaws. They were here before me, of course, but they didn't pay for it, I did.

They are very noisy birds, and a flock of 50 or more on the roof create quite a din, as well as a quantity of droppings.

As the season for them to reproduce approaches they start to gather nest material, mainly twigs, and they set about thrusting it all down my chimneys. Even though I have now put wire mesh over the chimneys they still do it, I suppose because they have always done, as their ancestor have done for a hundred years and more.

This year I decided to tackle the problem by reducing the Jackdaw population, I determined to shoot them. Early this morning I was out with my gun, and as the first Jackdaw settled I drew a bead on it. Looking at that creature, its feathers shining in the sun, I hesitated. It's beady eyes sparkled, and it turned it's head towards me.

I put the gun down. City-bred, born a few hundred yards from the Arsenal stadium, killing wildlife is not for me. I'll let the Jackdaws live, and I'll put up with any annoyance.

When I came into the house I switched my laptop on, really to check for comments on an article I have written. One of the comments was from Saraswathi Sirginia, and I went to her bulletin board to leave a message. Here is an extract from a very disturbing note I saw there.

"It should not come to the point where this site is affecting her private life. Her family has taken have had negative comments made about her and she does not want that to continue. To fnd the people responsible is not worth it, because it would just be better if she could be totally removed from the site and no longer associated with it. Some of the people on this site have also negatively hurt people close"

Is that what Bleacher F1 is about?

In various forums, and I am in a number, there are posters who maybe grate on you, but it is always best to simply ignore them in that case, or you get into a stupidly pointless flame war. Neither Bleacher nor any other forum should become too uncomfortable for anyone to stay.

Is there a noisy but entertaining bird you are killing?

In the name of decency and humanity, let the Jackdaw live.

Please do not comment on this article, I have made my point and do not want to start a debate or open old wounds.