Cat on the Prowl
This cat has become a frequent visitor to our garden. As a kitten he used to visit occasionally and try to get Tim (who adopted us years ago and now sleeps most of the day) to play with him. He has grown into a big bruiser of a cat and while Tim snoozes he has the run of our garden. I think he is the reason why the birds are not seen as frequently this year as in previous years .
My main worry about this cat is that the birds (Robin, Sparrow, Blackbird, Blue Tit and, of course, the Magpies) that have a nest in various parts of our garden all have chicks. We can hear them chirping away and the Magpie Nest certainly has a chick in it – the noise it and the parents make can only be described as cacophonous. The Magpie nest is hidden from view by the foliage and they are very difficult to catch entering or leaving their nest so I have no images to show.
I am now on “chicks on the ground watch” as this cat was, I think, responsible for killing a Blue Tit chick (Try saying that three times!) last year.
He must not be allowed to do the same this year!!
Magpie Nest – It’s All in the Construction
The Magpies have continued with their nest building this week. It is getting bigger by the day. I just hope they haven’t put it in a vulnerable position but after the high winds of the last few days it is still there – it must be all in the construction.
I sat for a long while waiting for either of them to appear, eventually I managed to get this shot as one of them was leaving the nest.
When the weather improves I must set up in a more advantageous position in the garden and maybe then I will get a better photograph.
For those interested in following the progress of this pair of Magpies I have given them their own link – The “Magpie Chronicles”. Please follow the link in the Categories to be kept up-to-date.
Filed under Magpie Chronicles, Photography | Comment (0)A ‘Cold’ Week and Magpies
I’ve been stuck indoors all week with ‘man flu’. You know the type – more ‘fluid’ running down your chin than the waterfall in Madiera Walk, a sneeze that sprays the whole room and a hangover without the alcohol. Anyway, you get the picture.
And the budget didn’t help either!
Looking out of our bedroom window I realize we have a Magpie nest in the process of being built.
The Magpie can be seen entering it’s nest. The nest is not in the best place for photographing (are they ever?) and when the leaves appear it will be even less so.
They are fascinating to watch as they flit to and fro with twigs longer than themselves or go from branch to branch testing each one to see if that is just the one for their nest.
I don’t know whether I am looking forward to having this nest in my garden or not. How will it affect the smaller birds? (we have always had a Sparrows nest in this tree in past years). We won’t disturb them and it will be interesting to watch them throughout the year but they are noisy and greedy. I had better get up to the Garden Centre and stock up with plenty of feed.
Hopefully I will get more photographic opportunities later.
Watch this space – they may even get their own link in my blog!!
Filed under Magpie Chronicles, Photography | Comment (0)