Magpie chattering at night (1 Viewer)

[owhy]

Literally about 5 minutes ago, I heard a magpie chattering outside - bearing in mind that it's now 1:40am in the UK. I actually thought I was imagining things for a second but nope, it was definitely making its loud 'chakchakchakchak' warning call. I have occasionally heard other diurnal birds at night, such as robins (presumably due to artificial light), but never a magpie.

My first thought was a fox. What does anyone else think?

And speaking of which, it's starting again! Really very odd.

 

[Nutcracker]

Yep, likely disturbed from its roost, whether by fox, domestic cat, owl, or whatever. I've heard exactly the same on occasion.

 

[exedchef]

Strangely , I heard a Wood Pigeon at 0335 the other morning!
Ed
South Shropshire

 

[owhy]

The magpies still seem rather agitated today, much more chattering than normal, and also the carrion crows have joined in. I feel like something out of the ordinary must be nearby.

It reminds me of something I experienced a few weeks back - I was out for an early morning walk with my dog (around 5am) and there was an almighty racket of carrion crows, magpies and jackdaws coming from the churchyard just up the road - they were flying in from everywhere and jumping from roofs to trees and back again sounding their warning calls. They're certainly good at alerting other birds to danger.

 

[owhy]

Now I know what all the racket was about.. looks like a fox has killed my neighbour's rabbit. Really wasn't expecting that..