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No walk out today but not even that can subdue the birding. All it took was a walk on the wild side in the garden around 3 pm. Like all birders I have come across Magpies giving grief to each other in trees. At times it is very vocal and birds are aggressive to each other. But today I did not know what to make of 19 birds in the tree and 3 over the top. Obviously there was something going on but what ever it was, was not really evident. The birds where in obvious groups and calling but not badly. The local group of say five seemed to hold position around the nest and did not leave until all the others had done so.  But when they did leave they followed the rest of the flock  The whole thing only lasted 5 minuets.

My conclusion from this event is as follows:

 

Seeing that I live in the centre of Lowestoft and magpies are scattered over a large area of land. Restricted  also by the occasional group of trees or places to habit. The only way that as corvids they can continue to communicate together and also cross over to share information or create personalised identity. Would be to create marauding groups, so that when they pick up with each other they can interact. This would enable them to search out each others territory, or site. In so doing would enhance the cohesion of the whole group. Although interaction between birds is noisy and intimidating, it allows birds to have understanding of there neighbours or a future mate. It is also good to bare in mind that it is the middle of November and young birds could be introduced to the wider community and also the whole issue of food must be a priority. In view that this year there is a massive increase in the amount of Jays and the lack of acorns and food sources. It may well be that this phenomena is unusual because of the pressure that is placed on these birds. I have also noticed that the large congregation of Magpie at Links Hill Lowestoft is now depleted and many have moved from there regular site. If this is the case are the birds here transient from Links Hill just 2 miles north. Or are these birds from even nearer say Sparrows Nest where again there are fewer birds now, after the autumn.