Malt 379 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) While re-potting some brassicas in the garden earlier, I heard a hell of a racket coming from the big conifers in one of the neighbours gardens. A few families of blackbirds were going absolutely nuts in and out of the branches, then out popped a magpie.. I like to keep tabs on the blackbirds about the place here, they might not be the prettiest of our native songbirds, but IMO they are by far the sweetest sounding. I've seen a particular male about the place for the last three of four years with a distinguishing white patch on the left side of his head. I've watched him throughout the seasons, calling for mates, then fanning his tail at them and chasing away his rivals. Well, as I stood there watching the drama unfold before my eyes about 15 yards away, there was ole 'Patch' and a few of his mates giving their all against this magpie, diving in and attacking him every time it's gaze was elsewhere. It's funny, I know it's nature working at its cruel best, but the sight of this life or death struggle tugged at my heart strings. I know it might sound daft, but I felt a great deal of distress watching these birds fighting for the lives of whatever it was in the trees, be it eggs or fledglings. Up until about 18 months ago there were a few lads here on the estate (myself included) who used to keep on top of the local corvid population and the numbers of blackbirds soared. One of the lads has since split up with his Mrs. and moved out, and the other one who is younger has discovered the twin joys of wine & woman! Over the past 6 months the corvid population had exploded here again.. The s200 that I had here for numerous years has gone back to my brother, and the king ratty is out of action. The only serviceable air gun I've got here at present is a SMK 19 that belongs to the aforementioned younger lad, at my place on a semi permanent loan arrangement. He doesn't use it so left it with me for a bit of garden plinking. The gun is underpowered, there's no two ways about it. I'm not sure on exactly how underpowered, I can just compare the depth of pellet penetration between it and the s200 I had here which I knew ran at about 11. something. None the less, it's still powerful enough to kill at 20 yards. I decided then and there: The magpie's days are numbered.... I set myself up in a semi comfortable position overlooking the garden and sat and waited. I was there for about 10 minutes, watching this magpie come and go, waiting for him to stop in one of a few safe spots in my garden where there might be the chance of a safe shot. Every know and again he'd land in the garden for a respite from the dive-bombing blackbirds, with a squadron of house sparrows joining the fray, taking pot shots when they could. The maggie wouldn't stay still for long, ever moving his head to dodge the attacks of the little passerine heroes, and as I watched him fly off I noticed a black object moving about the newly wired off veg patch... This fella was looking for a way in beneath the wired area, into the newly planted seedlings. He paused just long enough for me to take the shot: Not quite the result I was after, but my first corvid in over 18 months none the less! I'm determined to nail that bloody magpie though, watch this space..... Edited May 7, 2010 by maltenby Quote Link to post
Phantom 631 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Nice job Mal We have a number of Blackies around here, each year the young ones will more or less feed from our hands One year we had a couple that wold actually take the odd bit of bread from our hands. We are lucky that the Corvids tend to stay towards the open patches on the green and one of the neighbours front gardens who feed the big black nasty creatures. Only had one Magpie in the garden. Phantom Quote Link to post
rossy08 33 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Hi mate nice little read was that. bet they sang you a song or two for giving him lead. nice work pal. Andy Quote Link to post
Sweeney-Todd 208 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Hiya Mal. Interesting read mate I hope old Patch is ok. Good luck with the Magpie. Bill. Quote Link to post
Buster321c 1,010 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 You`ll get the bug again ................................. Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted May 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) Cheers lads! You`ll get the bug again ................................. Quite possibly pal! Edited May 7, 2010 by maltenby Quote Link to post
Buster321c 1,010 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Cheers lads! You`ll get the bug again ................................. Quite possibly pal! Nice one Mal , good for you . Nice to see you getting a shot in where you can , hope you and yours are well Quote Link to post
stealthy1 3,964 Posted May 7, 2010 Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Goodbye Jack, well done Mal Quote Link to post
Alexisrouzee 6 Posted May 8, 2010 Report Share Posted May 8, 2010 nice going buddy i have an idea soon to set up a decoy and a shot rabbit as i've seen this done in a airgun mag with good success as the corvids are awful around here!! Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted May 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2010 (edited) Thanks again lads! I've just borrowed this off my dad: Scopes' all to cock & about 90 psi left in the tank, so that's a refill and a re-zeroing session booked for tomorrow.... Edited May 8, 2010 by maltenby Quote Link to post
Phantom 631 Posted May 9, 2010 Report Share Posted May 9, 2010 Thanks again lads! I've just borrowed this off my dad: Scopes' all to cock & about 90 psi left in the tank, so that's a refill and a re-zeroing session booked for tomorrow.... Long term eh Mal? Looks like you got the bug back Its gonna develop into a full blown fever you know, there is no vaccine for it this time around, the only thing to do is buy your own and and let it fun its course over the rest of your life Welcome back Mal Phantom Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted May 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 Thanks again lads! I've just borrowed this off my dad: Scopes' all to cock & about 90 psi left in the tank, so that's a refill and a re-zeroing session booked for tomorrow.... Long term eh Mal? Looks like you got the bug back Its gonna develop into a full blown fever you know, there is no vaccine for it this time around, the only thing to do is buy your own and and let it fun its course over the rest of your life Welcome back Mal Phantom It won't be for long Tony, unfortunately my old man's a bit of a tight git! He hardly ever uses it, I bet it's had less than a tin of pellets though it since he had it off my brother about 6 years ago. Quote Link to post
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