Nature notes

A curious sight just this afternoon in Southwark Park. A crow on its back on the grass screeching agitatedly (is that a word?) and flapping its wings to try to shoo away four or five others that were pecking and tearing at it. It somehow righted itself and took off, the others flying after it, nipping at its tail feathers. Never seen anything like it. Perhaps this is what is meant by a murder of crows - or maybe it was just a squabble with a gang from (get ready to laugh) Peckham.