A Brimstone and a Magpie

[John]

I just couldn't think of a title to sum up what I am writing so that one is as good as any.

First of all no birding for two days. I have to do something with the garden and the next two days will probably be my best chance as I am still on holiday until Tuesday.

Anyway the first surprise was a Brimstone Butterfly. I don't think I have had one this early in the garden before. I had a Peacock the other day but I have had them earlier than that any way.

What about the Magpie. Well basically it was it's size. I was watching a Magpie hopping around on next doors front lawn when another joined it but I had to have a double take as it was half to a third of the other birds size. It was a fully plumaged bird but was incredibly small.

Has anyone else seen a Magpie that small?


John

[Pete Collins]

I saw a Brimstone in our garden today, too.

On the subject of a small magpie, there was this recent thread started by hobble: Merve the Magpie?

[John]

It's just been in the garden again with another Magpie. It looks exactly like the larger Magpie in every way except the size.

I can't recall seeing it before but it seems to be sticking around here just now.

It would be great if I could get a photo of the two of them together.

John

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

I saw a Brimstone in our garden today, too.

On the subject of a small magpie, there was this recent thread started by hobble: Merve the Magpie?

[Cheryl]

I posted on another thread that I'd seen my first Brimstone today - we've also had a decidedly dippy looking Peacock Butterfly around in our garden too - it's been a glorious day here today 15.5 degrees and I've been in short sleeves

[John]

I have had three Peacocks sunbathing in my garden today. They are all freshly emerged by the look of it as their colours were pristine. here is a photo of one of them.


John

Originally Posted by Cheryl

I posted on another thread that I'd seen my first Brimstone today - we've also had a decidedly dippy looking Peacock Butterfly around in our garden too - it's been a glorious day here today 15.5 degrees and I've been in short sleeves

[hobble]

Hi John,
I was interested to read your thread about the little magpie as I have one who visits the garden daily, called Merve.
He is also much smaller than the normal magpies and dumpier, very gentle in behaviour and mixes well with the robins, dunnocks, and blackbirds.
He has been attacked by the other magpies and currently has damage to his tail feathers, only two straggly ones left.
I hope you can get a picture. I am trying to get one with a normal magpie for comparison but it is rare for the larger magpies to stick around when I am out in the garden.
I am very fond of Merve he is a very unusual little magpie.

[John]

Like you I can't get near our Magpies as they are so nervous. The small Magpie I have been watching definitely associates with the bigger ones and has no problems with them.

Regarding shape. This one is built exactly as the larger ones but smaller in scale.

Obviously I am not usually at home so the chance of getting a photos are remote but if I get the chance I will certainly have a go for it.

John

Originally Posted by hobble

Hi John,
I was interested to read your thread about the little magpie as I have one who visits the garden daily, called Merve.
He is also much smaller than the normal magpies and dumpier, very gentle in behaviour and mixes well with the robins, dunnocks, and blackbirds.
He has been attacked by the other magpies and currently has damage to his tail feathers, only two straggly ones left.
I hope you can get a picture. I am trying to get one with a normal magpie for comparison but it is rare for the larger magpies to stick around when I am out in the garden.
I am very fond of Merve he is a very unusual little magpie.

[Deer Stalker]

Went out for a walk in the New Forest this afternoon & managed to get a snap of this Brimstone.