Stormy Weather

[salymap]

I wish magpies didn't leave their bread or biscuit pieces in the birdbath. It ends up a sort of porridge.

[cloughie]

What about magpies, SA? There seems a profusion of them round here? I am not sure as to the reason.

Here the profusion is jackdaws with occasional invasions by rooks with an ability to empty bird-feeders in minutes.

[Richard Tarleton]

Here the profusion is jackdaws with occasional invasions by rooks with an ability to empty bird-feeders in minutes.

What sort of bird feeders do you have cloughie? You should be able to find ones that are proof against squirrels and large birds here - our rooks are reduced to the few crumbs that fall to the ground. The CK Wildlife Guardian models have been tested by our squirrels and not found wanting. A large initial investment but saves on the food in the long run.

[Anna]

For the first time magpies have nested here, right at the top of a very large and ancient apple tree. I wasn't pleased (but what could I do about it?) as my regular nesters there lower down the tree are blackbirds (and unfortunately, usually stupid pigeons but they seem to have gone elsewhere.) However the blackbirds seem to have decamped and set up home with a colony of sparrows although at the weekend there was a real fight between a magpie and two blackbirds, real feather flying stuff. The apple tree is earmarked for demolition/drastic reduction in the Autumn as it's far too big, never having been pruned.

Weatherwise, yesterday was spitty in the morning, grey and horrendously windy and no rain at all. Today is ok, again not the promised rain, finally cloud is clearing and wind down to a gentle Westerly breeze.

[Tevot]

Well. The Grand Tour of the North Wet continues apace. Been in Liverpool for two days. Yesterday dull with rain - today brighter but with a decided chill in the air. People wandering about wrapped up as if it were October. Saw a memorial to the engine room crew of the Titanic - but despite the weather can report no sightings of icebergs in the Mersey - yet.

[BBMmk2]

It's been a mixed bag today. First full week of hols, but hey plenty of time!! :)

[amateur51]

What sort of bird feeders do you have cloughie? You should be able to find ones that are proof against squirrels and large birds here - our rooks are reduced to the few crumbs that fall to the ground. The CK Wildlife Guardian models have been tested by our squirrels and not found wanting. A large initial investment but saves on the food in the long run.

Many thanks for that very useful link, RT. I'd never thought of helping bees until I read about it there

[teamsaint]

I wish magpies didn't leave their bread or biscuit pieces in the birdbath. It ends up a sort of porridge.

Saly, I would imagine that what is happening is a version of dunking failure.
i would suggest leaving out pieces of Ginger nut or other sturdy biscuit, so that bits don't fall off when the magpies dunk, to create that nasty porridge effect.

All a bit dull down here, positively cool tonight.

[eighthobstruction]

JUst woken by Rooks mobbing a Magpie in the huge Ash tree in next doors wild garden (unkept)....very few Magpies in this village....it's rook territory.....LOADS of Blackbirds, a walk about hereabouts usually maintains a cacophony of Blackbird alarm calls.....and Dunnocks cheeping and chirping like finches (lovely).....

.....Aaaaaaaaaaah I love tits....

[salymap]

Years ago I had a blackbird that sang/whistled a Mozart phrase every day. It was so lovely to hear. Do they mimic music or was it my imagination ?

[Richard Tarleton]

Years ago I had a blackbird that sang/whistled a Mozart phrase every day. It was so lovely to hear. Do they mimic music or was it my imagination ?

Saly I once knew a blackbird which sang the first line of "O God our help in ages past". Each blackbird song is different and it's not unsurprising that occasionally a particular blackbird's song coincides with a tune we know.

The other explanation of course is that you were in the habit of leaving your Augener's scores open in the garden for them

A former professional pianist called Joan Hall-Craggs made a scientific study of blackbird song, writing a number of articles about it - here's a bit more, and here's another reference.

[Nick Armstrong]

Saly I once knew a blackbird which sang the first line of "O God our help in ages past". Each blackbird song is different and it's not unsurprising that occasionally a particular blackbird's song coincides with a tune we know.

The other explanation of course is that you were in the habit of leaving your Augener's scores open in the garden for them

A former professional pianist called Joan Hall-Craggs made a scientific study of blackbird song, writing a number of articles about it - here's a bit more, and here's another reference.

Interesting stuff...

[BBMmk2]

What's that balckbird nursery rhyhme again!?!!? Anyway, it's supposed to be raining today!!

[salymap]

Saly I once knew a blackbird which sang the first line of "O God our help in ages past". Each blackbird song is different and it's not unsurprising that occasionally a particular blackbird's song coincides with a tune we know.

The other explanation of course is that you were in the habit of leaving your Augener's scores open in the garden for them

A former professional pianist called Joan Hall-Craggs made a scientific study of blackbird song, writing a number of articles about it - here's a bit more, and here's another reference.

Thanks Richard, yes interesting. In my case no scores but the bird might have heard mylittle radio.

Years ago I could sit under the trees and listen to the Third Programme as neighbours were
usually out. Weekend treat for me

[Serial_Apologist]

Years ago I had a blackbird that sang/whistled a Mozart phrase every day. It was so lovely to hear. Do they mimic music or was it my imagination ?

All the blackbirds in this particular 'hood are hot on their Messiaen!