First Swift from the garden this morning, much more of a usual date than the one on 22nd April which I reported.
Meanwhile in Llanfyllin, my friend just failed to stop a Magpie attacking and killing a Slow Worm. In my garden they have destroyed 2 Blackbird nests.
Anyone have fond feelings for Magpies?
Meanwhile in Llanfyllin, my friend just failed to stop a Magpie attacking and killing a Slow Worm. In my garden they have destroyed 2 Blackbird nests.
Anyone have fond feelings for Magpies?
Actually I love magpies. If the blackbirds are so stupid they nest where they can be found so be it. If you have never watched a magpie tease a fox by pulling it’s tail, or seen them work together to catch and kill mice and rats then you have seriously missed out. Now cats on the other hand….
ReplyDeleteRichard Becker
I don't share Michele's love of Magpies! ("Stupid" probably means "first time breeders".) Our local Mistle Thrushes have built a nest in a fork in a sycamore close to the house with no protection of any kind, and only 2m off the ground. We are quite relieved that they decided not to use it at all, since it would have been the easiest meal for Magpie or Jay or cat.
ReplyDeleteThey were Richard's thoughts not mine!
ReplyDeleteEven so predator/prey interaction is a natural phenomenon although we do not like to see it happening on our patch to "our" birds. Under natural circumstances predators do not have a great effect on numbers but in the depleted state in which our wildlife finds itself then any predation may lead to a decline in the population of the species predated. So, in the end, it is up to us humans to ensure what we do will enhance wildlife and not be detrimental to it. Then predator and prey interactions can continue as it always has.
Great! So there is room for debate on this blog. Regrettably, we do not have "natural circumstances", and therefore I would argue that the greater numbers of corvids, including Magpies, are having a disproportionate effect on their prey. So, I could argue that controlling the numbers of these predators would "enhance wildlife". Is Richard as enamoured by Grey Squirrels?
ReplyDeleteI agree Chris that circumstances aren't normal these days - modern agricultural methods favour the corvids and don't leave breeding songbirds or waders much chance. Our neighbours are dairy farmers who mob-gaze on the intensive New Zealand system. No field margins, and the edges are sprayed anyway. Few insects in the cowpats. When the herd moves on, the crows and magpies appear in droves.
ReplyDeleteI quite agree that we are not in "normal circumstances" but you have to think as to why this has come about. People demand cheap food and farmers are encouraged to produce it. In the UK we slaughter approximately 2.6 million cattle; 10 million pigs; 14.5 million sheep and lambs and 950 million chickens every year. Up until a few years ago subsidy was paid on a per capita basis. Hence the more animals the more cash. Luckily that stopped. But subsidy continues and keeps in business those farmers who should not be but is also paid to large landowners who have huge shooting estates as it is now paid on land owned.
ReplyDeleteWhat you are seeing with crows and magpies on the farm near to you will be opportunistic feeding on the cow pats left behind as they will have (hopefully) beetles in them. We also see many crows around here as the neighbours feed their sheep by dispensing pellets two-three times a day so the crows line the fences waiting. Why scavenge for food when it is delivered daily.
Thus it is the system we should be attempting to change not looking for a quick fix of culling birds that are increasing because of what we do.
On the case of grey squirrels - yes they are a pest and have brought disease but they did not materialise out of thin air. Again it is us humans that are the culprits by introducing them into the country. They are only trying to survive like the rest of us.