Nature Diary... Magpie in the Rain

Like many other birds Magpies have to survive. This beautiful specimen has been visiting all this year and has been feasting on the handfuls of dried mealworms I put out several times a day. It’s also partial to some pecks at the suet blocks which I cut in half so they don’t spoil which can happen sometimes. The same two magpies have been coming together, have been supportive and protective of each other, and have show no signs of aggression towards any of the small birds who also come to feed. The sorrow that comes with them is that one of them has a tick embedded in the skin of its throat and the tick is feeding on the blood supply of the poor bird to the point where now the ‘bubble’, which it’s filled with blood and which is hanging from the bird’s neck, is now the size of a large marble. I understand from listening to Chris Packham that this will eventually cause the death of the poor bird, and there’s nothing I can do about it. So while they continue to visit together I continue to put out food for them and to admire their non-aggressive attitude, their beautiful plumage, and their loyal support of each other.