Walking in Bushy Park I saw a large flock of at least 60 magpies on the football pitch and more on the trees nearby. They were very silent considering they are such noisy birds. Was this a pre-roosting gathering or some other form of conference?
- Sean O'Brien, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
The ceremonial gatherings of magpies are territorial disputes, very noisy, and consist usually of not much more than a dozen birds. This could have been a pre-roosting gathering, or there might have been a good source of food on the pitch.
Last September I met a juvenile robin in my garden, I fed him and after four to six weeks he began to eat from my hand - and now also eats from the hands of the rest of the family. Recently he perched on my thumb for quite a while and looked around quite relaxed. He also comes if I whistle or call his name. Is this unusual?
- M Noonan, Dublin.
It is unusual, but I have read of a similar relationship with a robin. Robins are trusting and confiding birds but it needs the patience and perseverance that you have shown to cultivate such encounters.
While looking out my kitchen window on a cold January afternoon I was surprised to see a female sparrow hawk taking a bath in the water filled wheel barrow at the bottom of the garden. She obviously enjoyed it so much she was back again the next week for another wash. Is this unusual in a suburban garden and are the small birds that squabble over the nut feeders nearer the house at risk? -
Elsa Browne, Rathgar, Dublin, 6
Sparrowhawks patrol suburban gardens all the time, but it was a special privilege to see one taking a bath. The small birds at the feeders take their own precautions against their enemy; they stay in the hedges when danger is around.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Observations sent by e-mail should be accompanied by postal address as location is sometimes important to identification or behaviour.