Cyn's Nature Notes: Magpie & Squirrel Hide and Seek

Sunday, 20 February 2011

Magpie & Squirrel Hide and Seek

This morning I once more watched the squirrel feeding with amusement. When the squirrel was replete, the magpie who had been watching him feed, and patiently waiting for this moment, boldly walked up to the squirrel who was crossing the lawn with a piece of biscuit in his mouth. I knew what was coming and fortunately had my camera to hand and was able at last to photograph the whole sequence.

Now, where shall I hide this piece of biscuit?

Ah yes, nobody will find it here...

How odd -- that magpie's always following me around.

Thank you very much my friend.

1 comment:

Unknown26 January 2016 at 14:17
I have 5 squirrels visiting my garden, numerous magpies, many pigeons, all squabbling over seed, bread, cat food. Luckily the small birds, get a chance to eat from my feeders, but sometimes,so do the magpies, flapping their wings mid air like hummingbirds. Then you've the squirrels again, practising their circus acts, hanging upside down from my so called squirrel proof feeders!!
I love your photos and glad the wildlife brings you such joy.
I'm a mother to 2 boys aged 4 & 5, and a house wife, also I have 2 cats.
Our garden backs onto a field, where I feed 2 foxes, and since 2012, I've also been feeding a buzzard. Started as one, now I feed 3!!
Costs a fortune, but they love a chicken drumsticks or thigh. Even overhead gulls try and stop by.
Thank goodness for home delivery shopping.
Keep up your good work
Best wishes
Samantha
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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.