magpie and frog

loony · #1 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 02:43 PM

hi today was up at rspb sandwell valley and saw a magpie with something on the path to the pond . i went for a closer look and the maggie flew up and away with a frog dangling from its beak! never seen that happen before! nice toad in the pond . yesterday was on cannock chase and we heard cuckoo! hoped to have seen it but no such luck . found a hairy caterpillar of the drinker moth. 2 good days birding and other wildlife . glad springwatch is back !

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 04:48 PM

Magpies, like most corvids, are opportunistic feeders, taking whatever they can-dead or alive.

gaz2195 · #3 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 10:35 AM

A year or so ago, i was driving to work when in front of the car, a rat ran across the dual carriageway with two magpies in pusuit pecking it. Was quite a sight.

I was also fortunate enough to hear a cuckoo yesterday in sherwood forest, couldnt catch a glimpse though.

epops · #4 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 11:50 AM

not quite the same as a magpie but i've had to put plastic sheeting around the bottom of the chicken run cause they catch and eat the frogs in the garden