I was contacted by the Daily Mail this week about some photos they'd got of a fox looking for an easy meal at Barnes. Nothing unusual in that; it's what foxes do. It was what happened next that was fun. All the ducks, geese, coots and cormorants ganged-up in a rare moment of solidarity, effectively telling the fox to move on without a hiss, quack or wing flap needed.
After the fox had departed, I expect they returned to their normal behaviour of coots aggressively chasing anything that unsettled them, and the stronger ducks snatching food from the weaker ones. This is nature in the raw; survival of the fittest and it's true of birds, rodents and of course, mammals; including us humans.
How many examples have we had in the past week of people who've failed to do the right thing at the right time, prefering to either stay silent or turn a blind eye? In the case of the fox, it saw an opportunity, investigated and was decided to move on. The birds saw a threat they didn't like and acted collectively and instinctively to resolve it. Had there been a single alarm call from a solitary bird, I'm sure the fox would have gambled on being successful. It was the vigilance and mass response that convinced the fox to walk away. We have much to learn and re-learn from nature.
Speaking out about things that we see as threats is second nature to the RSPB. Our founders did it, way back in the late 1800's before women got the vote, and we're still doing it today. But alongside this firm resolve is a playful side. Hands up, who has tried to catch a falling leaf this week? I almost came off my bike as I stretched and missed (by mere millimetres) a particularly fine, large, golden London Plane tree leaf. I would have caught it, had it not been for a sudden gust of wind that cheated me and my amazing dexterity. In my mind I was graceful, elegant and athletic. Witnesses say I looked more like an excited, overweight puppy in freefall.
There are plenty of leaves still to fall, and this weekend promises to be a windy and refreshingly chilly one. Ideal for blowing away cobwebs, clearing minds and recapturing playful approaches to life. Challenge a friend, partner or relative to a leaf catching competition. Whoever harvests the least can treat the winner to a mug of hot chocolate. It's a special weekend too. Friday sees the Muslim holy day of Eid, marking the end of Ramadan. The clocks go back an hour at 02:00 on Sunday morning and it's the start of schools' half-term; much to celebrate in our brave new world where people come together to challenge the unjust.