Bad birdwatcher

[bewleyhall]

I really dont know how I managed to find you but I counted 16 Magpies sitting and flying around a tree close to my house. It surprised me so much I wanted to find out why they were all gathered together when usually I see them singly or in two's -possibly a whole family in spring. I know they must group together as there collective name is Murder!!! I'm pretty ignorant as you can see but curiosity is my middle name.

[badger426]

Welcome to WAB.

[Marshall Stax]

Hi and welcome to the site. I believe that when you see ones and two’s they are usually in a breeding pair but non breeding Magpies will gather into flocks. I have also read that starting around this time of year large numbers of Magpies often gather to resolve territorial conflicts and social standing and that these types of gatherings are called parliaments.

David

[naturelover]

hi and welcome to the site,have fun and enjoy.

[bewleyhall]

Thanks for the info. It makes complete sense to me!!!

[bewleyhall]

Thanks for the welcome

[smartie]

Welcome from me too.

Magpies will also gather in big numbers when there is a threat of some kind to be dealt with. Last summer I saw eleven in a tree in a neighbour's garden at one time, and shortly realised they were gathered round one of the local cats, which had got into the tree and was now surrounded by a taunting group of magpies and apparently unable to break out. I don't know how it eventually got down.