A nearby neighbour who I have only talked to briefly since we moved in a few years ago was out gardening and we had a good long chat.She seemed lovely and we got chatting about our gardens and wildlife.We have a much larger garden bordered by mature trees and the last couple of years magpie numbers have exploded.They nest behind our garden,are very noisy and predate the songbirds nests.The poor blackbird has had two clutches in our log shed wiped out.We find shattered eggs frequently around the garden.And I actually saw a magpie pecking to death a female blackbird.It was horrendous. They are increasingly bold coming right up to our back door as our very elderly cat likes to eat on the doorstep.I bring his dish straight in,and fear for the cat they are so voracious!
Now I know they are only doing what magpies do,and I would never harm them.However this neighbour told me very proudly that every day she feeds the 'lovely' magpies.I just wish she wouldn't. Apparently their numbers are increasing anyway due to the increasingly busy roads and roadkill.It is the songbirds that need help more than ever,and I feed them in feeders that as much as possible are specifically for them.
I can't stop her feeding them,but do feel like politely pointing out she is not doing the local birds in general any favours as it's probably boosting their numbers.Would I be out of order making a comment ?
In light of our current weather.......
sticky labels on apples - remove before washing!