Mother Nature

[topper]

Well mother nature is cruel I have decided. What could have brought me to this conclusion? Well I was fortunate this year to have some blackbirds nesting in a bush in our postage stamp garden. I have kept very much away so as not to spook the parents however Thursday evening there was such a commotion in the garden whilst we were sitting down at the table eating our evening meal. The two blackbirds were making the incredible noise I have ever heard and were throwing themselves at something in the bush. Suddenly an enormous magpie emerged from the bush and flew off. I have never seen a magpie so close up and boy it was big. Anyhow I assumed that all was ok as the parents continued their frenzied feeding or at least appeared to. The jet black one appeared to have a damaged wing but apart from that no problem. I dare not peek into the nest again for fear of spooking them. The following day, Friday it was a lovely sunny day despite the forecast and as I finish work early sometimes on a Friday I went into the back garden only to be greeted with the sight below. A quick snapshot of the nest confirmed my worst fears and I assume it was a cat that caught the unsuspecting blackbird. The young chicks had all been killed or had starved to death. How sad

[Chocky]

Awww. That is so sad.
I'm so sorry

[Merlin]

Yes, sad story Neil. Cruel thing nature which has a multitude of hurdles to overcome for survival which applies to everything in (for example) the bird world from the Goldcrest to the Golden Eagle.

Pete.