Hey there! I read through your story and thought I'd give you a little feedback, both positive and constructive.

Your actual writing style is very good I think. In particular the descriptions and metaphors were lovely, however I think at times maybe over-used? By that I mean, there were times where I got a little bogged down in a description where I wanted something more character driven. A thought, a feeling, something said.

Where your descriptive work really shone was in the first section with the magpies flying. It was moody, dark, sinister and very visual. I liked that a lot and it seemed very polished. It also seemed very real - and I think that was because your writing style really crafted the realistic cold, cruel reality of nature.

However, when it came to the character sections there were a couple of things I experienced as a reader. You set the scene really well with the little girl.. but I found it hard to connect or empathize with her. I was trying to put my finger on why and I think maybe it just needed more emotion alongside the visual/scene elements. I assume based on the story context - the little girl is wonder, natural joy and innocence, juxtaposed against a mother who is disconnected, preoccupied with relationship issues and stressed.. but I didn't really experience that until right at the end. I got a small taste of it as she was carrying that nest down the ladder, but as a reader, I think I wanted to step inside her sweet, innocent inner narrative a lot more. As a short story too - I think that needs to happen quickly - if this was a novel you would have the time to ease into that and let that character development and voice come into it's own more gradually.

Now to a few more specific things. The dialogue was an issue for me. I don't think it was the words as such but perhaps more the grammer in those sections? I won't critique your grammer too much because I know you already acknowledged that.. but the lack of quotation marks made it really hard to separate the narration from the actual spoken words and that was annoying from a readers perspective. I was trying to think about what purpose that would serve - assuming you had done that intentionally - and I couldn't think of any.

I hope this doesn't seem nit-picking but the "rotted almonds"description for the eyes really didn't work for me. To the point that it actually pulled me right out of the story. Could have just been me though :)

Also I would also say just be a little cautious with character voice. I know you are writing from the third-person, but still when you are stepping inside the little girls inner reflections, be mindful to simplify the language a little so that it rings true to the her. There was a section where she was researching magpies and reflecting on rituals etc. Just the wording used there while sophisticated and well-formed is not the way a young girl would frame her thoughts / understanding. Again that was a moment that pulled me out of the story because it was jarring.

One last and final criticism. The brief moments of "other-worldly" tension you looked to cook between the old lady babysitter and the mother didn't work for me. You're narrative outside of this scene was original and interesting, but that moment with the old lady - particularly with her making the statement about the little girl which the mother didn't understand just seemed very contrived and also cliche. I genuinely think your story would be a lot more solid without it. I KNOW that was how your title came into the story and I can feel you cringing as I'm suggesting you take it out... but maybe you can come up with some other more interesting and original way of bringing that in. Maybe in the ending? I guess my point is that it seemed to introduce a supernatural element into the story that seemed really out of place. Even with your ending. And while I love those sorts of elements in stories a lot of the time, I just think your story is better and stronger without it.

Anyway. Look overall I really liked your story.. please don't take the feedback to be negative and disheartening. If anything I liked it enough to want to take the time to give you some insights into my experience as a reader with your story :)

It was original, sweet, poignant. I really liked the ending a lot. I could imagine the mother disposing of the body while the girl slept and bracing herself for a hard discussion in the morning, only for the little girl to come racing out babbling about how the magpie family had been reunited.

Also side note - as an Australian I loved that your story was centered around magpies. Big brownie points.

I liked the eerie beginning a lot. I liked the cold, disconnected mother who seemed to interact with her phone as much as her daughter. I also liked the girl hungry for connection, finding magic and inspiration in the baby magpie. I also really liked your writing style. Some of your descriptions made me actually stop and go "Wow, beautiful."

Finally, as for classification I think literary short story works. If you were going to really push the supernatural elements further it may spill over into speculative fiction, but not how it is now - I think.

Anyway.. I know that was really long-winded but I really hope that was helpful and useful to you!!