I hear the patter of tiny feet,or could it be claws?

That is so fabulous. I do hope you don't have cats. Or if you do, that you at least have a large high powered water pistol at the ready! Are you leaving scraps out for Mummy Blackbird? I don't suppose she needs them at this time of year, but it's fun to watch. My Grandmum has a blackbird that greets her when she goes to the kitchen in the morning. It pecks at the glass to attract her attention and demand it's breakfast. Friends of ours have a nest that's been build in a hole in the wall of the passage tot heir house, at exactly child's eye level. I don't know what posessed the Mummy Bird to put it there, but I'm sad to say that I doubt it will survive. Amazingly the eggs have survived long enough to hatch, and the little ones call to you as you pass. I collared the kids and had a chat to them about scaring Mum etc etc but I don't think they'll be able to help themselves when it comes to standing and staring. I just hope she's able to feed them plenty during school hours!