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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 22:57:50 GMT -1
Yep, magpies.
Ok, here's the sketch. The other day Mr R was up a high ladder pulling down some ivy that was growing onto the front window pane. Next thing, he gets a terrible fright on encountering a pair of eyes staring at him out of the fronds.
I'd noticed a pigeon flapping about near the wall for a couple of weeks, thought nothing of it. But Mr R had encountered its nest: he left well alone, obviously.
Next thing, this morning THE most unholy noise out front. Magpies are pretty rare this far into town but there were 5 of them giving it laldy in some mad frenzy, flying up trees, swooping down, clacking like nobody's business around the front wall.
I know magpies like to 'steal' things but it just occurred to me they might be after the nest. Or am I mistaking em with cuckoos?
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Post by ozneil on Apr 27, 2014 23:35:25 GMT -1
They would be after the eggs They are great thieves. They even steal brightly coloured clothes pegs off our washing with disastrous results. At a local golf course they used to steal golf balls. The golf people did everything they could to stop them without success. Eventually they hit on the idea of putting up scarecrows with photos of Cameron/Salmond* face fixed to the heads. Not only did this stop the thieving but the birds returned 47 almost brand new golf balls  *Delete one to suit preference or enter one of your choice eg George Gallacher |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2014 17:42:47 GMT -1
Right. I thought so. I'm on a mission to save the wee baby pigeon eggs.
Unless they're particularly well-read magpies I imagine a polly scarecrow's a bit useless really.
Anyone any ideas what I could put up by the nest to freak them out without making Mrs Pigeon have a nervous breakdown?
<I'm actually serious...>
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Post by bormes on Apr 28, 2014 18:40:02 GMT -1
Pop into Crocketts at lunchtime ask for Robert upstairs, explain you are a friend of mine (not as Bormes remember!!!! ) He will suggest either the Owl or another idea?
Either that or shoot the Magpies, they are vermin after all, like the Foxes that some people feed!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2014 19:04:33 GMT -1
You're a star, Bormes!
Thank you for this. Any excuse to footer about in Crockett the Ironmongers is good by me. Fantastic shop.
I'll let you know how I get on.
So, the Owl is a deterrent to magpies? I never knew that.
Ms R still has her beloved soft-toy Hedwig (out of Harry Potter) in a cupboard somewhere but he's very very far from scary...
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Post by notanimby on Apr 28, 2014 19:24:50 GMT -1
You're a star, Bormes! Thank you for this. Any excuse to footer about in Crockett the Ironmongers is good by me. Fantastic shop. I'll let you know how I get on. So, the Owl is a deterrent to magpies? I never knew that. Ms R still has her beloved soft-toy Hedwig (out of Harry Potter) in a cupboard somewhere but he's very very far from scary... It may also be a deterrent to the doo as well mind. |
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Post by bormes on Apr 28, 2014 19:48:09 GMT -1
Shhhhhhh, the flying rats are vermin too!!!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2014 21:09:29 GMT -1
You're a star, Bormes! Thank you for this. Any excuse to footer about in Crockett the Ironmongers is good by me. Fantastic shop. I'll let you know how I get on. So, the Owl is a deterrent to magpies? I never knew that. Ms R still has her beloved soft-toy Hedwig (out of Harry Potter) in a cupboard somewhere but he's very very far from scary... It may also be a deterrent to the doo as well mind. ahem.... I said; "Anyone any ideas what I could put up by the nest to freak them out without making Mrs Pigeon have a nervous breakdown?"
There was a fox the size of a Shetland pony in my garden yesterday, digging about in the bits I'd just planted. Do I give a feck? No. Are pigeons 'vermin' as well? Really? Why would that be? I don't even hate rats for that matter. Except if I were to inadvertently fall into the Clyde where Weill's disease is rife, just like any other riverside. Spiders and many-legged insects in Scotland I've no fear of either. That whole thing about women screeching on stools is SO very 1950s isn't it  I have, however, a dislike of cockroaches, having spent a fair bit of time in NYC over the years. How the New Yorkers put up with them down their trouser legs and in their shoes on a daily basis is beyond me. |
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Post by ozneil on Apr 28, 2014 23:42:15 GMT -1
This bugger's bite will kill you Very common round here  Funnel web Spider body about size of an old penny Luckily it is a slow mover easily coshed with a spade hides under stones BTW Rolo magpies like things in back & white |
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