A rare bird discovery unites a wartime village against bureaucratic, commercial, and environmental threats.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
A Rare Arrival
Jimmy and Hazel begin a countryside walking tour and arrive at Lipsbury Lea. Their birdwatching leads to the discovery of a rare tawny pipit nest.
Key Events
Jimmy Leaves Hospital — Recently released from hospital, Jimmy begins a countryside walking tour with Hazel. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Countryside
Walking Tour Begins — Jimmy and Hazel travel on foot while pursuing their shared interest in birds. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Countryside
Arrival at Lipsbury Lea — The couple reaches the fictional village of Lipsbury Lea. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Lipsbury Lea
Rare Birds Discovered — Jimmy and Hazel discover a rare pair of tawny pipits nesting nearby. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
The Village Takes Guard
News of the birds attracts city twitchers and increases pressure around the nesting site. Jimmy and Hazel enlist local support, with Colonel Barton-Barrington leading the villagers.
Key Events
News Spreads — News of the rare discovery spreads and city twitchers begin arriving. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Lipsbury Lea
Twitchers Crowd Village — Groups of visiting birdwatchers come from cities hoping to see the rare birds. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Lipsbury Lea
Local Protection Organized — Jimmy and Hazel enlist locals to protect the nesting site until the eggs hatch. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Colonel Leads Villagers — The fiery retired Colonel leads villagers in the protection campaign. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Lipsbury Lea
The Ploughing Threat
The field containing the nest is scheduled for ploughing by the war agricultural executive committee. The village campaign faces an official threat that could destroy the nesting site.
Key Events
Ploughing Order Revealed — The field containing the nest is scheduled for ploughing by the war agricultural executive committee. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Village Resistance Grows — The village campaign intensifies as locals attempt to keep the nesting field safe. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Delegation Travels London — A delegation travels to the Ministry of Agriculture to seek cancellation of the order. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: London
Appeal Initially Fails — The delegation fails to get the order rescinded through its initial appeal. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Ministry of Agriculture
A Political Rescue
A delegation travels to London but initially fails to overturn the order. Colonel Barton-Barrington uses his old school connection, leading to personal intervention that saves the field.
Key Events
Colonel Uses Connection — The Colonel draws on a past public school connection with the Minister of Agriculture. Characters: Colonel Barton-BarringtonLocation: London
Field Saved — The Minister personally intervenes, saving the field from being ploughed. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Hatching and Homecoming
The village receives a Russian soldier, while a scheme to steal the eggs is foiled by an alert army corporal. The eggs hatch, and the community celebrates with church thanksgiving and Jimmy's Spitfire flyover.
Key Events
Russian Soldier Visits — A female Russian soldier visits the village to seek public support during the occupation of Russia. Characters: Colonel Barton-BarringtonLocation: Lipsbury Lea
Rifle Presented — Colonel Barton-Barrington presents the visiting Russian soldier with a sniper rifle. Characters: Colonel Barton-BarringtonLocation: Lipsbury Lea
Egg Theft Attempted — A plot to steal the eggs for an unscrupulous dealer threatens the nesting effort. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Egg Theft Foiled — An alert army corporal who is a professional ornithologist foils the attempted theft. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Eggs Hatch — The tawny pipit eggs hatch after the nesting site survives the threats. Characters: Jimmy Bancroft, Hazel BroomeLocation: Pinfold
Village Gives Thanks — The village gives thanks in the local church after the eggs hatch. Characters: Colonel Barton-Barrington, Hazel BroomeLocation: Local church
Spitfire Flies Overhead — Jimmy flies a renamed Spitfire over the village and tips its wing in a low-level celebratory pass. Characters: Jimmy BancroftLocation: Above Lipsbury Lea
Story Breakdown
Countryside Arrival — Jimmy and Hazel begin their walking tour and reach the village where the central discovery occurs.
Hospital Recovery — Jimmy has just been released from hospital before traveling with Hazel.
Lipsbury Lea — The walking pair arrives at the fictional village of Lipsbury Lea.
Rare Nest Discovery — The couple's shared interest in birdwatching reveals the unusual tawny pipit nesting site.
Birdwatching Pair — Jimmy and Hazel are keen birdwatchers traveling together.
Tawny Pipit Nest — They discover a rare pair nesting near the village.
Village Protection — Public interest expands while local residents organize to protect the nest until the eggs hatch.
Twitchers Arrive — Groups of birdwatchers come from cities to see the rare birds.
Ploughing Crisis — The nesting field faces destruction under a wartime agricultural order.
Pinfold Threatened — The field known locally as the pinfold is due to be ploughed.
London Delegation — A delegation goes to the Ministry of Agriculture but initially fails.
Political Intervention — The Colonel's personal connection helps reverse the official decision and preserve the field.
School Connection — The Colonel remembers that the Minister was his school fag at Marlborough.
Field Preserved — The Minister personally intervenes to stop the ploughing order.
Hatching Celebration — The nest survives a final theft attempt before the village celebrates the successful hatching.
Egg Theft Foiled — An alert army corporal and professional ornithologist prevents the eggs being stolen.
Spitfire Tribute — After the village gives thanks, Jimmy flies a renamed Spitfire over Lipsbury Lea.
Jimmy Bancroft, a fighter pilot, who is recovering from injuries sustained during the Battle of Britain, and Hazel Court, a nurse, come across a pair of rare birds nestling in a field. After a run in with the army, and a couple of thieves, they, with the cooperation of the village people and the Ornithology Society, help the eggs to hatch. A wonderful look at life in a small village, during World War II.
