THE KILLING TIME.

Couldnt agree more - we have a very large magpie nest developing in the trees at the bottom of the garden and I can't help wondering what it means for the songbirds in the garden. The cats are the worst - even the big fatties. We have a big squirty water gun which the kids use to get rid of them. Dont get me wrong I do love cats - its just that I love birds more!

Oh no Bob, how sad, I dont know what more to say.

Oh I am so sorry. We have Magpies nesting in a field nearby. They are awful. They also dig up my bulbs and eat them. Horrible things. I have a cat who is terrified of birds - and terrified of going out too. When she sees a bird through the window she rushes off into the bedroom to hide. At least I've got a good cat even though the Magpies are horrible. I have been using Pepperdust to discourage other peoples' cats from my garden and on the ground in the vacinity of any nests. I only have Blue Tits nesting at the moment. My garden is very small. I planted a Pampas grass in the adjacent field and have lots of fun watching the birds talking bits of plume to make their nests nice and soft.

Oh Dr. Bob that is so sad. I agree with you, mother nature can be very cruel. But lets hope she's successful in the future. Magpies I dont like them. 2 of them have been in my garden all day, trying to get the bolts of my new obelisk and searching in my garden. Walking up and down my newly dug wildlife area like they own the place!!!

Thank you for your comments, I don't have a problem with animals killing for food but what annoyed me most about the blackbirds was that the cat in question was very well fed by it's owner so it didn't kill for food.

Cats can't help it though, Docbob, it's a primal instinct I'm afraid, fatcat or not. Its unfortunate that blackbirds build their nests quite close to the ground, lord knows how many go to cats on the hunt. I am sorry to hear about the dove though, what a pity - I notice the pair I've had around here for 4 years, is now not a pair - one of them's been missing for 8 weeks now.

I am so sorry. I hate to hear that. I have a picture I just put of a woodpecker's dead tree that was left untouched by the tornado that hit us late last month.

There was a large old shed with a tree beside it. Robin's had built their nest in the tree. When the tornado hit, it took the shed out and left the tree and nest untouched.

Sadly, most of the ducks in the carp pond behind me did not make it. So I agree when you say mother nature can be cruel. I hope your Dove will come back next year. I love cats too but hate they kill birds. I am lucky in that my cat is terrified of birds, mice, moles, fish and pretty much anything that moves.

That's amazing about the Robin's nest, a shame about the ducks though. Don't get me wrong Bamboo I really love cats.

I didnt think you didn't, I was just trying to make you feel more philosophical about it, lol!

Oooh now there a big word lol

It is a Primal Instinct, we cannot blame the cats...but i seem to think
that if more cats were to wear a bell on their collars, the poor birds would
have more of a chance to flee, or escape on hearing the bell..Nature is so
cruel, but they do say everything happens for a reason...

Big fan of bells on collars for cats myself, I always used them on my cats.

So sorry to hear this news Doctorbob.This balance of nature is a very fine line ....We do not get magpies around here but we do have a couple of Jackdaws visit.The other birds hate them and constantly chase them away.They are know for stealing eggs and chicks. Life out there can be so raw........

Thank you Ray/Jane, I was very dissapointed, better luck next time.

True..know you tried to look out for her Doctorbob....

Strange thing though, the little roof I put over her to protect from the crows was undamaged.

Could it have been a sparrowhawk ? They are know for swooping low....difficult to know really as you only saw the magpie....sad.......

Good to hear about the bells on cats approach. I shall buy a belled collar and give it to my neighbours as a gift.

I don't recall seeing a sparrowhawk around although there was a Jay recently, but I am pretty sure it must have been the Magpie.

Unfortunately bells aren't the answer. Our cat (also well fed by us) manages to hunt occasionally despite wearing a bell that everyone says is the largest they've ever seen on a cat...
You can't really stop natural instincts like that. Cats have their uses - apart from cuddles that is - ours does his best to keep the rats away, and I think rats would also raid birds' nests if they could.

Hallo Doctorbob. A nice blog. Where I have my summer home there are a few cats around, yesterday I sat on the patio...seldom for me as I am a fidget and always can see something to do, either in the garden or house, any way I watched this cat sitting on the path near my border for about half an hour, he never moved a whisker the whole time...and then..whooosh, he had got a mouse, cats do have their advantages.

Hello Roqi,
Welcome to Goy. Thank you for your comment.
I have since discovered that it was a Jay who was responsible, I had a Robins nest with several babies in and the Jay took all the babies and both parents, really sad.

I too lost a dove to the magpies this year, having saved it from the magpie that was pecking at its eye. It was only a fledgling . I put it under a hedge near wher i had found it and the mum and dad were trying to get it to fly all all day. I sat in vigil to make sure the magpie didnt have another go ..but alas overnight i think it was taken as the parents were sitting on my fence for the next 3-4 days and scratching round under the hedge. hopefully next year.

Oh! Dear sad story Lisal. At least you tried your best, poor parents these magpies are a nuisance.
I haven't had any luck with a dove this year, I have seen eggshells around though. Hope you have some luck next year.