That's life...unfortunately!

[astarsdad]

Whilst on a visit to Marshside, Southport I was in one of the hides, watching a family with young coots. They young must have been 1/2 days old. Being totally relaxed and at peace with the world, I was marvelling at how wonderful creation is. All of of a sudden a dark shadow appeared and in a flash a young coot had disappeared. I followed the shadow and recognised it as a great black-backed gull. It landed on a sand bank right in front of the hide, putting the struggling chick down in front of it. After a few well aimed pecks, this giant of a bird (GBBG) tossed it into the air and down its throat. After wiping his beak in the sand, the GBBG seemed to sense my disappointment and looked directly at me and gave me that tilted head look that seems to say..'That's life'. Unfortunately, it is!
Terry

[twitchyt]

hi terry,
Nature is beautiful wonderful and very cruel at times.
Recalling an idyllic day, perfect summer weather, enjoying pottering in the garden, oh the peace, suddenly the blackbird pair were screeching and flapping above the tall conifers, whilst the magpies dived in to the sound of sqeaking chicks, then silence, poor chicks, not long after the large crow on the rooftop was attacking the magpie chicks, some might say poetic justice, l just felt my peaceful day had turned into a battleground garden, went in for a quiet cup of tea. But would never want to be without the wonders of nature

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by astarsdad

Whilst on a visit to Marshside, Southport I was in one of the hides, watching a family with young coots. They young must have been 1/2 days old. Being totally relaxed and at peace with the world, I was marvelling at how wonderful creation is. All of of a sudden a dark shadow appeared and in a flash a young coot had disappeared. I followed the shadow and recognised it as a great black-backed gull. It landed on a sand bank right in front of the hide, putting the struggling chick down in front of it. After a few well aimed pecks, this giant of a bird (GBBG) tossed it into the air and down its throat. After wiping his beak in the sand, the GBBG seemed to sense my disappointment and looked directly at me and gave me that tilted head look that seems to say..'That's life'. Unfortunately, it is!
Terry

Yes, we Humans haven't been eaten by other animals for quite some time now, it seems we have forgotten what it is like!

[greenace233]

hi there. They say its a circle of life and boy that was a perfect example. The poor blackbirds always seem to take a battering from the magpies. You must have a very busy and lively garden. debbie

[BloomingMarvellous]

It's not everyday you see something so Raw, your story reminded me of the Bald Eagles I was watching on Web cam last year. Something went terribly terribly wrong with Mum and Chick, it was a nightmare to watch. I look back now and think, I was one of 5 people in the whole wide world who witnessed the incident, so I count myself lucky that I saw such a scene. You'll never forget that moment.

[darrenm]

it can be a bit shocking to see such sights in the real world and not just on the tv screen but like you said it's just part of life.

A real eye opener for me was a Grey Heron grabbing out of the blue and swallowing an adult Little Grebe a few years back on my local patch at the time and the saw the whole thing happen through my scope and had read about it happening but had never seen it before in 30 years of birding. For a short time i was a bit stunned but had to admit it was an incredible scene to witness first hand and had to accept it has just part of nature.

[twitchyt]

hi debbie, yes it is quite busy at times, yesterday l was astonished to see a magpie hop up to a cat sat on adjoining 6ft fence and peck it in the rear, 2 or 3 times, even more amazed at the big tom cat ignoring it.
It took me many years from childhood to be able to look at wildlife scenes of predators hunting and killing prey, usually the babes in all species, some stick in my mind to this day, the mother cheeta eating a female deer, whilst her 3 cubs tormented the terrifield baby deer, mum later killed it.
The young zebra,s sheer terror on feeling its leg clamped by a croc pulling it under the water. Eventually accepting its nature and survival, and the prey animals usually more successful than the predators in mass survival long term
We humans the exception without a doubt.
The wonders of nature make up for it, wouldnt like a life without it.