Cyn's Nature Notes: Magpies are More than Scavengers

Sunday 16 May 2010

Magpies are More than Scavengers

There has been so much I could have written about, but one thing stands out above all others because it was so unexpected. It was around 8.45p.m. when our attention was drawn to the garden through the kitchen window, by the sound of blackbirds in distress. I have already written about the siting of the magpie nest and the grandstand view of the garden, and the wildlife therein from their lofty lookout, but I haven't yet told of how bullying the magpies have become. They spend a great deal of each day chasing and harrying the larger garden birds; blackbirds, jays, crows and pigeons -- for some reason they show no interest in the smaller birds, although I have seen them chasing the squirrel many times.

The blackbirds are the worst affected and hardly have a minute's peace, the magpies swoop on them constantly, chasing them, twisting and turning, this way and that and always the poor blackbirds are giving distress calls as they try to dodge their aggressor. This evening it was clear the magpies were at it again, then the unbelievable happened, as we watched, one of the two magpies chasing the blackbirds suddenly caught the female in mid-air, and brought it down to earth, while the other magpie fended off the male blackbird. The grounded blackbird was being held down and attacked by the magpie, it was very distressed and its cries coupled with those of its mate rent the air, causing other blackbirds to gather in the garden. Despite the magpies being mobbed by the gathering blackbirds they held their own, one magpie managed to keep all the blackbirds at bay, while the other one continued to attack its helpless victim.

All of a sudden it was over, the captured blackbird ceased to struggle or call, the other blackbirds flew off and the aerial magpie flew to a lower bough of the cherry tree. Within 10 seconds the attacking magpie ceased and flew off followed by its mate, leaving the dead blackbird laying on the lawn. The only comfort I can feel is in the fact that the blackbird will be nourishment for the fox. Small comfort though.
I have read that magpies only eat carrion (dead meat) this I refute. I have watched magpies attack and kill an almost fully grown rat, many small ducklings and now the blackbird. The rat was attacked until it had no fight left in it and was then carried off, the ducklings and blackbird were different, they were not carried off and appeared wanton, callous killings.

Next morning I still found it difficult to believe that I had witnessed two magpies hunt and bring down a female blackbird -- and worst of all kill and leave it there. They clearly were not driven by hunger, so what was the purpose, could it just have been the fun of the chase?

This morning the dead blackbird had disappeared, carried off no doubt by the fox. From the above incidents witnessed with my own eyes, I know for certain that magpies hunt and kill their prey, but is it sometimes for pleasure?

The male blackbird successfully reared the young, I watch them every day and so far they have not been bothered once by the magpies.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.