2020 magpie summary part 2, the end of March until the beginning of June.
The magpies are very skilled builders, using a wide variety of materials.
Twigs in different thicknesses and forms on the outer shell.
Grass reinforced soil to mold the solid center pit.
Tiny twigs, straws, root threads and moss inside the pit.
They use both force and vibration, both the beak and their feet to form the materials and to make them stick.
The first couple of years, we did not understand why they did not re-use the nest again the next year, the construction being so nice and solid.
Seing the growth of mold and all kinds of bad stuff in the pit the next year, it is understandable.
So now we clean out the interior of the nest the moment the magpies leave.
The following year (2021) it seems to work.
The outer shell of the nest is mainly as a protection from crows.
Crows, nice as they are by themselves, are regarded as enemies by both 'our' magpies and seagulls.
When there are crows around, the magpies and seagulls actively cooperate to drive them away.
This year (2020) Shemag laid 7 eggs.
They all hatched nicely.
Both Shemag and Hemag did their formidable and impressive work, Shemag lying on the eggs and chicks, Hemag bringing food to Shemag and later also to the chicks.
It is hard work but they are very dedicated.
Then tragedy struck.
All the chickens were infected by a parasite (Trichomonas gallinae) and died one by one.
The National Veterinary Institute determined the cause.
It was pretty sad to watch.
This is the price to pay to get so 'close' to these birds.
Hopefully the next try goes better.
We will take some actions to reduce the risk for parasites, mainly by removing possible negative hygiene factors in the warm parts of the season.
This area is regarded as a good and attractive territory by magpies.
There have been many succesful rearings for many, many years.