Magpies

[jcd123]

Hi

Is it me or are there alot of Magpies around this year.

I got up this morning, looked out of the window at the feeders and there are 6 magpies in my garden 1 sat on trellis reaching across to sunflower hearts
1 trying to get onto fatball feeders (quite funny to watch) and the others just wandering around the grass.

What is that poem about magpies 1 for sorrow etc what is 6 for

John

[Emma S]

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
and Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told!



Yes, I've noticed quite a lot of magpies, but I don't know if it is more than 'normal' though. But they are a species on the increase, as I understand it.

[naturelover]

this is funny i dont see one let alone six,there dosnt seen many round here in cambridgeshire,yet chelmsford there were loads.

[Pops]

I had 8 visiting together for quite a while during late Aug, through September and into October. I now only have 2.
I'm assuming they all belonged to the same family and the young ones have now gone to seek out their own territory and partners.

[Cazzie]

I get the odd one or two and it's hilarious the way they 'strut' about the grass all important lol!

[Tazni]

I've definatly seen quite a few lately

There is an increase certainly but I feel I can blame the weather

[demicav]

I too have noticed an increase here in Lacashire, can't say I mind, I love them .

[Tazni]

They need to become less shy though!

8 for a wish
9 for a kiss
10 for a bird you just can't miss =]

[aeshna5]

Usually when there is a group like this they tend to be non-breeding birds without a territory.

[missscousemouse]

Originally Posted by jcd123

Hi

Is it me or are there alot of Magpies around this year.

I got up this morning, looked out of the window at the feeders and there are 6 magpies in my garden 1 sat on trellis reaching across to sunflower hearts
1 trying to get onto fatball feeders (quite funny to watch) and the others just wandering around the grass.

What is that poem about magpies 1 for sorrow etc what is 6 for

John

i too have had lots of magpies lately.
there is a team of 10 and more that seem to have all of a sudden turned up they have been swooping roof to roof and have been in the trees a lot.
the last week i have heard scratching on my guttering above my window which has been magpies and have startied to close my window as they are very cocky.
this morn i woke to find a large pigeon dead under my living room window feathers everywhere. it had been pecked to death.
i found it quite upsetting ive never had this happen before and again loads of magpies everywhere.
its like something out of a hitchcock film at the min!!!!!

[coasty]

I think that are just increasing generally.....

[Tracey.A]

I had a magpie predate the eggs of a Song thrush earlier this year. It was sad, but then it is in their nature to behave like this.

Tracey

[missscousemouse]

i know
just a shock i mean obviously ive seen magpies before but ive never seen more than say 5 at a time at the moment they seem to be ruling the street ive never seen so many theres the constant clicking noise and they flying all over the place why in the last 2 weeks would they all turn up like this>?????

[derelict]

Originally Posted by missscousemouse

i too have had lots of magpies lately.
there is a team of 10 and more that seem to have all of a sudden turned up they have been swooping roof to roof and have been in the trees a lot. <snip>
the last week i have heard scratching on my guttering above my window .
its like something out of a hitchcock film at the min!!!!!

They can go round in flocks much larger than this - mainly younger animals. Apart from feeding they're checking out potential territories for next spring.There was a time when they were persecuted and songbirds thrived. A flock of magpies is certainly eye-catching but it does conceal a trail of destruction. Now they're everywhere. In April last year I watched a pair raiding the blackbirds nest in Coventry bus station.

[missscousemouse]

its been bit weird seeing them all realy ive started to keep the windows shut as they swoop along the windows they seem very cocky and i dont really know much about them im scared they will somehow get in
i have 2 small children they way they acting id be a bit worried they would swoop at them

[derelict]

Originally Posted by missscousemouse

its been bit weird seeing them all realy ive started to keep the windows shut as they swoop along the windows they seem very cocky and i dont really know much about them im scared they will somehow get in
i have 2 small children they way they acting id be a bit worried they would swoop at them

They're certainly cocky. And clever with it!
The local infant school gets these big flocks regularly because it's an island of green space that isn't part of a viable magpie territory - but they quite like the birds - good for churning out the old rhyme.
I'd guess your home isn't in an occupied magpie territory either so enjoy them while they're there - they'll move on eventually. If you put food waste out on the window sill they'll work it out quickly enough and you can see them to order... they love chicken scraps.