Magpie building/reparing nest at this time of year?

[ChrisKten]

I noticed one of the Magpies picking up nuts yesterday, which isn't unusual. But looking more closely this morning I realised it was, and still is, collecting mud. I haven't seen this since Spring/Summer, which happens each year as it's always muddy under the bird baths, so is ideal for the Magpies' nests.

I'm already as sure as I can be that the Magpies have had 2 broods this year (yes I know, very unusual, and I can't prove it), they can't possibly be having another this late in the year, can they?

I've attached a few pictures taken through the window to show one of the Magpies collecting mud this morning.

[Sy V]

Well I must say Chris, they certainly appear to be fixing/building something.

[ChrisKten]

Well I must say Chris, they certainly appear to be fixing/building something.

Very odd, Simon, isn't it?

I'll see how long it goes on for, and more importantly, keep my eyes open for juveniles. I suppose it could be an inexperienced pair getting their timing wrong.

[ChrisKten]

So, has nobody else seen nest building by Magpies this late? Or is it in fact common?

I'd be interested to know if what I witnessed is as out of the ordinary as I think it is.

[Gretchen]

I haven't seen it, but should watch our magpies more closely. Of course sometimes we don't see what we don't expect....

[ChrisKten]

Thanks for replying, Gretchen.

That's one of the things that I've learned from studying my garden so closely, birds don't seem to read the books that are written about them.

I often see behaviour that, apparently, doesn't happen. I see so called "stupid" birds exhibiting quite complex behaviour. I've seen birds cooperating, that shouldn't cooperate.

It seems to me that our gardens are an often neglected resource that can help us understand birds and Nature better. Or we could just read what someone else tells us should happen.|=)|

[halftwo]

I saw a Magpie building on tuesday. Thought it unusual.

[ChrisKten]

I saw a Magpie building on tuesday. Thought it unusual.

That's interesting, that might rule out odd behaviour by this individual, and may mean it's got more to do with the Weather. Or I suppose that they could both be stupid.|=)|

[ChrisKten]

I thought I'd update this; as of 10 minutes ago, the Magpie is still collecting mud. I'd love to be able to see what it's building/repairing, but it's flying off too far.

[Gretchen]

Hi Chris,

We saw two interesting bits of magpie behavior near the reservoir. One picked up something a bit larger than a golf ball in its beak (quite an effort) and carried it away - we felt pretty certain it was a rock and not edible. We later saw another (or it could have been the same one - no idea actually) carrying something rather large and irregular shaped - it gave me the impression of grass and mud or something, though it could have been edible too. So perhaps they are up to something rather "normal" for them?

[ChrisKten]

Hi Chris,

We saw two interesting bits of magpie behavior near the reservoir. One picked up something a bit larger than a golf ball in its beak (quite an effort) and carried it away - we felt pretty certain it was a rock and not edible. We later saw another (or it could have been the same one - no idea actually) carrying something rather large and irregular shaped - it gave me the impression of grass and mud or something, though it could have been edible too. So perhaps they are up to something rather "normal" for them?

Hi Gretchen,

I've no idea if the Magpies where you are, are the same as ours (Pica pica), and I'm unsure of the weather/season at this time of year. Ours build a nest from twigs and branches and line it with mud, they also build a domed top to the nest. It usually takes a couple of weeks to build, but they also do running repairs while the nest is in use.

It sounds as if your Magpies are also nest building, here in the UK it is very unusual to see this behaviour this late in the year. In fact this is the latest I've ever seen or heard of them nest building.

[Gretchen]

Chris, yes ours are pica pica too - favored birds here ("lucky" and therefore free to roam unmolested). Just starting autumn here too... I actually can't say that what I saw was nest building, but it didn't seem like foraging either. Since some crows use tools to get food, I suppose they could be gathering materials for something other than construction ?!?!

I don't suppose that the magpies roost in their nests in cold weather, do they? I know that nests aren't really "houses" for birds, but I wonder if there would be any benefit to reinforcing them at this time. Just doesn't seem possible they could be contemplating a new brood - or maybe they're preparing for next spring??

I clearly have more questions than answers ;)

[Gretchen]

Here's the pic of one of the magpies we saw - you can see him sizing up that round stone - he's just about to carry it away! Sorry you have to imagine what a mouthful it was - we didn't get a pic of it in his mouth.

[pauco]

Just goes to show all you read just ain't always the way birds think! But stupid they are not. It also proves you just can't beat, local path birding, and watching your garden birds. They will more often than not, show us something different. Just makes our hobby more interesting.

[halftwo]

Here's the pic of one of the magpies we saw - you can see him sizing up that round stone - he's just about to carry it away! Sorry you have to imagine what a mouthful it was - we didn't get a pic of it in his mouth.

Hi Gretchen,

That looks like an egg-case of a dogfish or something similar - they are frequently washed up on beaches. They are very light - but why the Magpie would take it away....!

[Gretchen]

Hi Gretchen,

That looks like an egg-case of a dogfish or something similar - they are frequently washed up on beaches. They are very light - but why the Magpie would take it away....!

Hi H2,

Thanks for your ideas. I hadn't thought of a case, I took it for some clay type "rock". It looked heavy to us, but we might have just seen what we expected. The pictures I've looked for of egg cases aren't round or grey, but perhaps there are different kinds? If it was a case, it could perhaps in some sense be edible??

And actually, with the odd things that wash up on our shore, there may be several possibilities other than rock, which would be more edible ;) (This pic is from the estuary at very high tide.) We later saw the magpies scavenging quite a bit as the tide went out - they know that the sea here may offer a kind of smorgasbord of items!

[ChrisKten]

Might be interesting to get some video of them foraging, Gretchen, to see what they actually pick up.

Mine are still collecting mud, so it's exactly the same behaviour as I usually see earlier in the year. I've never actually noted how long they collect mud for because they seem to continue until all chicks have fledged. So if they are nesting, there's at least 5 weeks to go until any juveniles show.

Logically, I doubt I'll see juveniles in November.

[waverider82]

I spotted a magpie touching up / nest building this morning - ill keep an eye on the nest , luckily its only a 20 second walk from my front door.

edit: Haha, hold on, i can see the tree its in from my window, never noticed that before |:D|

[ChrisKten]

I spotted a magpie touching up / nest building this morning - ill keep an eye on the nest , luckily its only a 20 second walk from my front door.

So it really does seem widespread, and not local as I first thought. It would be good if you can see whether they start bringing food back at some point, assuming it's a pair.

Oh, just noticed your join date, welcome to the forum.|=)|

[ChrisKten]

edit: Haha, hold on, i can see the tree its in from my window, never noticed that before |:D|

Better still, much easier to see what's going on; maybe even video it if you are able to, and if it continues.

[waverider82]

Thanks for the welcome |=)| - the trees well within photo range so if i see anything else 'going down' i shall report back!

[halftwo]

Magpie building a new nest in my garden this morning.

[ChrisKten]

Magpie building a new nest in my garden this morning.

So three of us, in three different areas of the Country, have Magpies building nests. This is very strange, especially as it's the 1st October tomorrow.

What do you think, juveniles just before Christmas? |=)|