Magpies

There are few birds around at the moment. The winter migrants have only just begun to show. I have seen a small flock of Fieldfare and a small flock of Redwings within the last week, but the Chaffinches which normally abound at this time of year have yet to appear and the flocks of goldfinches which just a few weeks ago were feeding on the thistles have dispersed.

One bird you can guarantee to see is the ubiquitous Magpie. The population of this species has mushroomed over the last twenty years. There could be numerous reasons for this, but in this area, I suspect that the fall in gamekeeper control has been a major factor.

The Magpie is in many ways an enigma. Seen in sunlight, the full splendour of its glossy plumage becomes apparent. No longer simply the pied bird with a long tale; the blues and greens give it a hint of the tropical. But, make no mistake, there is nothing romantic about this bird, which regularly predates the nests of other birds, taking both eggs and young. But, it does not stop there. This last summer I witnessed a Magpie attacking young Starlings. These were fully fledged birds in their first day or two out of the nest. The Magpie repeatedly flew at a youngster, aiming its beak at the head of the immature bird. As much as the young Starling attempted to escape, the Magpie pursued it relentlessly and the end result was inevitable. 

So, it may be beautiful, it can be very sociable amongst its own kind, but it is also an opportunistic killer.