Magpies

[cameo]

This morning i looked out of my window and saw 4 magpies walking across the road.

i've not really seen many magpies at all, let alone this many together.

I have 2 questions, is it unusual to see a group of them like this?
Is there any truth in the rhyme, one for sorrow ect? Apparently 4 means birth or boy.
I know it's just an old superstition but does anyone have any experiences where it seemed to be true?

Ooops 3 questions asked!!

[Cetti]

This year has been a bumper year for the birds, so they've tended to stay away from our gardens as the food has been abundant in their natural habitat - woods, fields, hedgerows etc.

But now winter is approaching the Magpies, always the opportunists, are finding easy pickings around our gutters, under eaves, and just about anywhere in the gardens. It's not unusual to see family groups foraging (and squabbling!) together of 3 or 5, but you generally hear them first!!! Not the most popular of birds, but on closer inspection their colours are stunning.

The rhyme is something we've all grown up with - and it's just that - a nice rhyme, with no truth whatsoever.

[Noweia]

I've seen groups of up to 10 squabbling with each other!

[Athley]

We seem to get quite a lot in our garden. They are soooo noisy but seem to be a small family. They tend to eat cat food - (don't know if this is strange or not!). They also have scraps with the other birds though for apples, the fat balls and bread. They are greedy little monkeys. My cat is scared of them - they are quite big.

[Cetti]

Think of them as the mobsters of the bird world Athley, swaggering about, taking everything they please - and afraid of nothing!

I do love the way they walk though, as though they have very painful corns or bunions on their feet!

[Athley]

Oh yes they are definitely a bunch of thugs!! But I do like them they're entertaining.