Magpies - Nest building already? (2 Viewers)

[ChrisKten]

This might be a waste of a thread, especially if I don't see the same behaviour again this week, but:

I remember posting late last year (end of September) that Magpies were collecting mud and bits of twigs from my garden. I assumed that these were inexperienced Magpies getting their timing all wrong. Well today is the first time this year that I've seen them at it again (I couldn't get any pictures of the mud collecting, as the light was bad).

So, is it possible that they are really nest building this early?

 

[DaveN]

Hi Chris, Magpies often begin nest building in mid-winter although they probably wont lay their eggs until late March.

 

[ChrisKten]

Hi Chris, Magpies often begin nest building in mid-winter although they probably wont lay their eggs until late March.

Hi Dave, thanks for replying. I think I'll have to start keeping a log of when things happen, as I don't recall it being so early last year.

My garden, being basically all mud, is a favourite of the Magpies when nest building/repairing. They especially like the area under the bird baths, as it's always muddy there (thanks to me refilling every day, and the Starlings splashing like mad).

 

[TheSeagull]

No activity with the local Magpies here but I have seen Starlings carrying food oddly.

 

[lapwing1]

I do like Magpies. Even though at times their appearance can be unfavourable in some quarters but we have one who regularly visits our yard where we have our horses, if he/she is not there we notice! In the last few weeks with all the snow the Magpie has been a regular visitor waiting with two Dunnocks and a Robin for spilt feed.

 

[ChrisKten]

No activity with the local Magpies here but I have seen Starlings carrying food oddly.

What do you mean by "oddly", Calvin?

I do like Magpies. Even though at times their appearance can be unfavourable in some quarters but we have one who regularly visits our yard where we have our horses, if he/she is not there we notice! In the last few weeks with all the snow the Magpie has been a regular visitor waiting with two Dunnocks and a Robin for spilt feed.

I like all of the Corvids, but especially Jays and Magpies. The best time for me is in the Summer, as the parents always introduce the juveniles to my garden, as it's a regular source of food and water. The juvenile Magpies, especially, are like children, so inquisitive and always experimenting. They look under every stone and land on every possible perch, great fun to watch and very noisey too.

 

[Apodemus]

What do you mean by "oddly", Calvin?

In a Morrisons bag?

 

[TheSeagull]

By oddly I mean as in the behaviour being odd at this time of year, not carrying them in any odd way!

 

[Pam_m]

During the cold/snow spell I spotted a Magpie flying over the garden with twigs! I thought it seemed odd seeing as the weather was so bitterly cold.

 

[David FG]

There has been a pair (I assume) of Magpies busy round a nest that was used last year very near my office.

It gives me something more interesting to look at than work.