There was an almighty racket in my son’s garden… the resident magpie was going nuts. There are a pair of them nesting in the top of an evergreen tree in the wilderness over the fence and they spend a lot of time foraging in my son’s garden.
Ever since the local crows decided to view the newly filled nest as a potential fast food joint, the magpies have been on high alert. The slightest hint of a threat and they are on guard…
The cat formerly known as Tim/Frank/Nigel was taking a peaceful nap on the lounger. One of the magpies flew in to investigate. Deciding the presence of a cat was not desirable, it started making a heck of a racket, leaning down to berate the reclining moggy.
As mere noise and ruffled feathers was not enough to remove the intruder, I watched from a few feet away, wishing that I had my camera, not just a phone… or that it would actually get round to recording video…
The defensive parent tried coming in from the other direction, but the cat took no notice. The bird moved in closer…
And closer…
…eventually flying at the cat, chattering all the while. I was spellbound watching the drama unfold, privileged to be able to be so close with neither creature in the least bit worried by my presence. The cat simply miaowed, once, in the feline equivalent of ‘beat it’… or words to that effect. The magpie retreated to the fence and watched until the cat sauntered off.
Nature is never far away… even in an urban garden just yards from the rush hour traffic of a town centre. We miss a lot, simply because we are busy, looking where we are going, or preoccupied by the worries of the day, but it is always there, from the valiant wildflowers breaking through the concrete, to the life and death struggles… and we forget that we too are a part of the dance, until nature herself reminds us.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Reblogged this on tabletkitabesi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
How fascinating to have been able to watch all of that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was…and now the magpie won’t leave the cat in peace. Even tapped on Nick’s bedroom window when the cat was sleeping in there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really?! That is so crazy!
LikeLike
Amazing to watch though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jaye x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this wonderful story and the great images. Magpies are high intelligent, and now the know the cat is in fear and a new restaurant has opened soon. 😉 Michael
LikeLike
The cat is being stalked by the magpie now 😉
LikeLike
We are so lucky that nature is never too far away!
LikeLike
I am always thankful for that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A basic instinct of human nature, too. Defend the Nest!
LikeLike
And this magpie is doing it very well too!
LikeLike
Lots of crows gather round the osprey nest here, where the female is sitting on her eggs. Last night the male came back with a fish and the crows went crazy, flying round, ever closer until suddenly the osprey had had enough and rose up and gave chase. The crows scattered – but they were soon back.
LikeLike
The irony is that I have to defend the bluetits’ nest against the magpie…
LikeLike
Now who is wearing the pants? 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
I believe the magpie is giving the cat the bird 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly seems so – an odd role reversal, lol 🙂 xx
LikeLike
An interesting one to watch though 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such excitement – and poor kitty was just trying to nap. 😉 Great photos to go with the story, too. Love the iridescent feathers in the last one.
LikeLike
They were at it again yesterday too… I don’t know what the cat has done to deserve it, but the magpie is on the warpath!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fine animal story, dear Sue! Thank you for telling! 🙂
LikeLike
The bird is still watching the cat 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Sue I enjoyed this post 💜
LikeLike
I’m glad, Willow 🙂
LikeLike
💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes all we have to do is stop and watch. Good story, Sue. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike
It is a gift when we are witness to such things 🙂
LikeLike