It’s a little known factoid, that EE and I walk along the Werribee River near our unit most mornings. Weather permitting we do it before breakfast, and during the winter months that means the start is before daylight.
One of the access streets near our village is Hope Street. Now a friend of mine would like to add “NO” to the front of it, but I have those sorts of acquaintances. Some might even suggest that I attract them.
A highlight of our egress along Hope Street is greeting a friendly pair of Australian Magpies that have made the area their territory. She has had five nestings over the years since we’ve been passing. Her male has a damaged leg, and he is unable to stand or hunt on the ground. He is however quite capable of perching on fences and lamposts.
A few weeks back as I walked down Hope Street, a rambling carolling call from directly overhead stopped me. Looking up, I saw Maggie sitting in her newly installed “Grand Design” nest. Enterprising lass had used lots of discarded building material, wire, plastic and the like to add a new story to last year’s nest.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I took the camera down at first light to see how things were going.
Enjoy.
UPDATE 27th September 2018
They flew today. The nest is now officially “Empty”.
Now I have to find where she has them settled.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Aah! What a great collection for their family album, as well as yours! Thanks for sharing the experience.
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Hi Eleanor, we’ve been pretty quiet of late, not much bird activity about and weather that has been less than kind. I’m amazed at her ingenuity and boldness to work in such an area. Also that the pair’s fidelety is not affected by his damaged leg as it must severely hamper his hunting abilities.
They certanly are going to be busy in a few days when the young ones get mobile.
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Great documentation. It is lovely when you get to know them (and then they won’t swoop either). She sure has been busy doing the reno.
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G’day, I’ve never had a problem with them swooping me, but not to say that I’ve had a few close encounters at low level as they go speeding up or down the roadway seeing of wattlebirds and the like. Its pretty awesome to here the wing running in those rapidly beating wings.
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Great story David, thanks for sharing 😊
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Hi Aileen, glad you enjoyed. Magpies are among my fav birds I think
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Wow, they are awesome, David. So interesting seeing those (is that a strip of metal) building materials intertwined about their nest. Thanks for sharing. Such a great success story!
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G,day Derek, I thought the stuff was a plastic, its just a bit too high up to grab. But there is all sorts of coloured insulated wire, pegs, bits of cloth, plastic bag and the like spread all the way.
What is so outstanding is the stripping. Its festooned over all the tree. Surely its more than one piece.
Its at least a second year nest, In the first photo you can still see where the ‘new’ layer has been added.
Too much fun
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What a wonderful snap shot family album of your local Maggies David. You must be accepted as friend and on good terms as i am with your locals, not to be attacked. That is such a good feeling, to be able to relax and worry when you pass by or observe. Such a buzz to be able to look into the nest so well. I find they nest so high up in the eucalypts that you do not get a good view. Have a wonderful week watching these guys fledge.
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Hi AB,
Thanks for dropping by and the lovely comments.
I’ve found that there are around 6-8 pairs in the local area and almost all of them have gone for nests in the open treeline, and generally not too high up.
There is two exceptions down along the river one is high up in the open, the other clever bird that she is, has yet to invite me home for a visit. (eg, I can’t find where she is located.)
Jon Young in What the Robin Knows talks at length about the building of trust with birds, and Maggies are no exception.
One of my flickr friends has seen quite a bit of research on their recognition skills and the ability to count. Reasoning has always seemed to me to be a Maggie trait.
I’m looking forward to seeing the young out and about as that is always fun.
Regards
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G’day David, this is such a great story worth telling and photographing. Magpies are also one my favourite Aussie mates and their antics are always interesting to watch like their amazing songs.
Thanks for sharing,
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Hi Adam,
I’ve been a bit quiet of late on the blog as there really hasn’t been much to report. We had high hopes of a Spotted Harrier, but it seems to have disappeared—again! Most of the small bush birds have moved or are at nest. The Eastern Yellow Robins we normally track in the You Yangs are not visible, so its been quite a dry spell for us.
Lots of Black-shouldered Kites moved through, but then just as quickly left.
And the weather has been less than kind.
Still its the challenge of going out and being in the right place.
Good luck, keep taking pictures, we do.!
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nice images
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