Birds spotted flocking to the aid of another

ONE day recently I heard a loud thump on my French windows.

For all my 71 years, being brought up in the Highlands of Scotland, I have never witnessed such a wildlife mercy act after, it turned out, a young sparrow had flown into the glass. But, there on the slab below the window, lay the young bird on its side, to me, taking its last gasps of life.

I have seen cattle rally round a cow giving birth, but what happened next was a rare happening.

As I walked away from the window, about six sparrows which were feeding on the bird table, all stopped and fluttered down to the grass.

All hopped across, jumped over a small stone-walled flower arrangement and ran over to the injured bird.

They formed a circle around the still gasping body of their little feathered friend.

Then, a couple of them nudged the stricken sparrow several times. Like a miracle, it raised 
its head, lifted a wing, staggered to its feet and after a few 
seconds flew off, in a rather drunken-like manner, into the hedge.

All this occurred as I watched from the windows.

Normally the birds would take flight if anyone came close. Amazing!