We still have the magpie in attendance. Yesterday He (I shall call him a “He”, although my experience of sexing magpies is limited) came up to the patio door and turned his beady eye on me in a “got-any-food-for-poor-homeless-magpie?” sort of way. I duly prepared a bowl of cat food, placed it on the patio, and then had second thoughts since this was on Inca’s main route when she pops in to see one of our neighbours. Since the magpie seems to have taken residence in the vicinity of the back of our rockery, I placed the food there.
When Chantal returned from work and told her that the magpie was alive and well, she practically started singing “The North Wind Doth Blow And We Shall Have Snow And What Will The Magpie Do Then, Poor Thing?” (with apologies to the robin that was the original subject of the nursery rhyme).
Since “He’ll sit in the barn, and keep himself warm” was not an option, we built a nest. First find one large plant pot, and half fill with dry leaves and shredded paper. Next take one dog brush and one long haired German Shepherd and vigorously apply the former to the latter. Line the aforementioned bed of leaves and paper with a nice soft and warm duvet of dog fur. Lesia was not overly keen on her contribution to the health, safety and welfare of a bird.
We placed the plant pot on its side under a shrub behind the rockery, and left it for our guest. He did not request that a daily paper be left outside the nest this morning.
We have seen the magpie several times today, when he was sunning himself on the lawn, and digging around in the soil of a potted plant – a good sign since he hasn’t forgotten how to find his own food. He’s not there now – presumably, after a hard day, he’s gone back to bed.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
