Birds of the feathered kind.
There always seems to be some kind of 'hoohaa' going on near our house.
Take this morning, I was waiting for the bus when i saw a load of starlings settling on the roofs. Nearby was about half a dozen seagulls and some magpies. Before you could say robin redbreast a magpie sneaked up on the starlings, they flew off with the seagulls in hot pursuit and the sky was like Armegedon as they all chased one another round making as much noise as they could before landing back where they had started.
I have watched these birds for years and there are three culprits for starting trouble. The bully boys of the sky. The worst is the magpies, the second the seagulls and then the crows.
Just recently we have had a green woodpecker in the garden minding his own buisness digging up the ants eggs in the lawn. And who should take exception to this but Maggie. Maggie came within six inches of woodie trying to look intimidating right in front of him. Woodie ignored Maggie for a while and then looked up and just lunged forward at Maggie who then jumped back shocked that the green upstart hadn't flown off. Woodie then carried on with the ant raid whilst Maggie crept off trying to maintain as much dignity as possible.
The other day i was on the phone to daughter when i saw the magpies flying up and down my oak tree setting up a racket. Something is up, i said, and sure enough a cat was up the tree after them and they were trying to scare it off.
If it's not that then it is the squirrels in the tree, in fact anything that they think shouldn't be there they try to scare off by shouting and running up to wthin inches of it before flying just out of reach.
There has been one particular squirrel and magpie that has been having a running battle over the lawn (and i mean literally running) arguing about acorns. As quick as one burys one the other follows and digs it up.
But for sheer sneakiness and working as a team you cannot beat the crows. When a small bird lands on the roof one crow will come and sit nearby and start to walk nearer while the other two set off flying in a circle. One will come in from behind while the other from the side. The one on the roof blocks the means of escape. Trapped the bird flies off in distress, the crows meanwhile go off and take their positions ready to intimidate the next poor unsuspecting feathered innocent.
It's a whole differnt world out there in birdland.
3 comments:
I love to watch the birds too ! In the summertime we can set on the patio outsdie and they'll come to the feeder not 2 feet away. Since it's gotten colder out we don't see too many. They are probably there, but I'm inside too much. I loved the way you told about your 'Hoohaa' - I could have been right there watching with you ! 'On Ya' - ma
For many years being an avid gardener,I have watched the same antics for hours on end.Livng here now at the coast ,and no garden,I only have the seagulls to watch,but they are real scavengers.No matter how well placed and tight visitors put there rubbish in the local bins.You can guarantee by hook or by crook, they will find a way to empty that bin.whole hot dogs I have seen them just swallow down.LOL!! The starlings do not have a look in.They work at it for as long as they loosen everything then come the flock.As long as they stay away from my home thats the main thing with gulls.This is when I am on the seafront sat watching them.Or in the local parks etc.Take care.Loved th eentry.
Astoriasand http:journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
I enjoy watching the birds, they are so beautiful & do such interesting things.
Have a good day,
Sugar
http://journals.aol.com/sugarsweet056/SUGARSLIFE/
my other journals are on my side bar. :)
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