I once had a sign in my gardens that said:
All Birds are Welcome.
I don't anymore.
Magpies are no longer welcome in my gardens.
Black-billed Magpie
Sure they are a pretty bird with their long tail feathers and striking color,
and through the years I've learned to put up with their raucous noise
and their rudeness at the bird feeders... hey, don't hog it all!
I've even tolerated them as they've arrived in mass on their daily rounds throughout our neighborhood scaring all the song birds away.
Not any longer...
I'm officially waging WAR on all Magpies.
In fact, I'm thinking of posting a sign that declares:
Magpies...
Don't You DARE Enter This Garden!
Why the change of heart?
I've discovered that Magpies don't just eat
seeds
and insects
and leftover picnic garbage.
In the Spring they raid bird nests to eat
the eggs
and new little hatchlings.
Now I know why they methodically move from tree to tree in my gardens.
I watched last week as a Magpie raided
Mr. and Mrs. Chickadee's Cottage in the Redbuds.
(Visit my Facebook page for happy thoughts about our Chickadee's arrival.)
My attempt to scare the nasty villain away was too late.
The deed was done.
I can't help but wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Chickadee's hearts are as broken as mine.
Over the course of several weeks,
I watched those two little birds feather their nest in their new home.
I heard the first tiny peeps come from within those walls.
I watched as both Mr. and Mrs. worked tirelessly to keep those little ones fed.
And I listened each day as the peeps grew stronger and stronger.
I resisted the urge to peek inside, not wanting to endanger them in any way.
Such an act of willpower...
I so wanted to see the new life that now was a part of my everyday.
Their home is outside the window over my kitchen sink
so I've seen a lot of comings and goings.
I've waited patiently for the day when those babies will peek
their tiny heads through the opening.
And then that big old magpie
stuck his ugly beak into their home.
My son tells me...
It's the circle of life.
I contemplate the thought but it doesn't make me feel any better.
The Magpie population in our neighborhood is getting out of hand...
who is the magpie predator?
Maybe it has to be me.
Any ideas?
