If only I could be up every day when most of the Estate is still asleep.
This morning, drinking my first cup of tea and looking out onto the plot opposite I saw such an interesting series of events.
As usual all was quiet. We caught the tail-end of a storm last night and had a rain just as I went to bed. This morning all was fresh and green.
In one of the ash saplings sat 5 jackdaws (they spend a lot of the early morning poking their beaks into my quite large front lawn looking for grubs).
Then I suddenly saw the barn owl arrive. As one the five jackdaws rose and attacked him, chasing him off between my bungalow and M's next door. They flew right by my window and I got the best view ever.
So all you bird folk out there - I presume there were jackdaw nests with young nearby (a lot of the bungalows have chimneys and most are protected with a wire chimney guard to stop nesting birds.) but where they are I have no idea.
Were the birds consciously waiting for the owl's arrival?
Do owls eat young birds from nests? I have always assumed they hunted for vermin.
Had they plotted the attack? (ie are they intelligent enough to do such a thing?)
There is only one thing I am sure of. That owl beat a very hasty retreat when those jackdaws took off from their sapling perch.
Sun is out. Have a nice day.
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25 comments:
That must have been an impressive sight, and I am glad you caught it and told us about it here!
We often observe buzzards and other birds of prey being attacked by crows. Usually, the crows come in threes, rarely there are just two of them, and rarely more than three. They swoop and dive, and to avoid them, the attacked bird does the same. Eventually, they leave the larger bird alone when they seem to feel they have done enough and he has put enough distance between them. But I also wonder why they are so terribly bothered by buzzards etc. - it is not that they rival each other for food all that much, or nesting places. And because I see this kind of behaviour all year round, not just at breeding time, it can't just be to defend their young.
What an amazing thing to witness, and well done to the Jackdaws for protecting their nests. They had obviously had a little chin-wag and decided to be on the look out together. Nature is wonderful and we give animals, birds and fish far too little kudos for their intelligence, and their ability to work together when the need arises.
Barn Owls do feed on small birds as well as small mammals. All the crow family seem to have an inbuilt response to attack or harry all birds of prey at every opportunity, whether they have nests to protect or not. As for the crow family's intelligence I once watched two Magpies steal most of a Buzzard's dinner. This unlucky Buzzard had found a dead rabbit and had carried it to a place it thought was safe to consume its prize. However a pair of Magpies had seen this and had a well thought out strategy to outwit the fearsome beak and talons of the larger bird. One Magpie stationed itself just out of reach of the Buzzard while its companion went around to the tail end of the Buzzard. Here it grabbed a beak-full of Buzzard's tail and gave it a mighty tug. As the Buzzard swung around in annoyance Tail-Puller hopped out of the way and the other magpie jumped in smartly and grabbed some rabbit meat. This happened several times before the Buzzard became mighty angry and chased the Magpies off. The Buzzard returned soon afterwards - followed by the Magpies and the whole thing began again.
Who needs television? Some months ago I posted video of magpies in our garden trying to scare off a sparrowhawk from its kill. The hawk raced it out and ate it all. Crows or jackdaws might have had more success.
Now the morning is light there is plenty of bird life to watch..it is fascinating.
The magpies would have been nest defending..mind you they are some of the worst nest robbers around here.
What a treat for early risers.
Birds always seem to be very clever.
Great story, John! How funny that must have been to watch!
Mornings are ripe with activity. On my property, there was a nest high in the Magnolia tree and every time I walked anywhere near the tree the adults sounded their alarm and occasionally flew toward me. My neighbor feeds the wild turkeys and most mornings a fox strolls by and chases a turkey. One day, the fox will catch a turkey.
You described it well, Pat. Early morning entertainment for you!
Most owls sleep in the daytime so when they are found they are hassled. Here crows, magpies and blue jays gang up on a sleepy owl.
What a delightful and interesting way to start the day!
Pat,thank you for sharing that lovely scene.
That must have been quite a sight. Xx
I know I am repeating myself but the writing of you and John (Going Gently) always creates a scene with your words and I feel as if I am there watching it with you. I am glad you have those lovely windows to the world Pat. I wonder how people can live in underground homes (?) - Jackie
Oh, the magical touch of early morning makes getting up that early worthwhile. How wonderful to see an owl and the jackdaws so close to you! Ta for sharing the magic with us.
At 11a here this morning, I was going out to the freezer in DH's workshop and had just stepped out of the door, when ahead of me on the concrete path was a black snake who had been enjoying the warmth of the paving stones. In a flash he/she was whipping himself or herself away from me and in the undergrowth while I went the other direction!! It was probably a young rat snake (good to have around) but it was several feet long and as thick as a hot dog. Shudder!
It's always a delight to find a post from you.
Hugs!
That is a peaceful quiet moment for you before the others around you wake up; the birds are having their breakfasts. I tend to cheer for the birds of prey, they are looking for breakfast too. Happy Monday.
I love sitting at the window in the Spring and watch the birds chase each other, protecting their nests. We live in a desert and the quail are running all over the place hiding their nests. The humming birds are busy checking each flower. Have a lovely day
What a wonderful treat so early in the morning. I am ashamed to say I miss out on such things - if I wake before 6am I go back to bed! Thank you for describing the event so clearly. I could almost see the scene myself.
I expect the Owls see Jackdaw babies as vermin.
Last year, a headless pigeon dropped out of the sky right next to where I parked the car. I asked several people about the mystery and they said that owls often bite the heads off birds. Can that be true?
Tom - Ugh!
Stargoose John - Most interesting tale you had to tell. Just to say how much I am missing your wouderful Nature walks - but then I am sure you are missing them too. But I guess, like me, fatiguw ia always hovering waiting to strike.
Some really fascinating tales here - thank you. I would guess we all agree that animals are much cleverer than we give them credit for Thank you for giving me a good read.
Lovely tale, nature is more interesting in the "red in both claw and talon" and truer to life
We had a roosting Barred Owl in our holly tree part of the winter, a wonderful gift, and I felt quite cross with the blue jays, normally my favorites, for harassing it. Now the owl has been gone for a couple months (hopefully off somewhere with a nest?) and I am back to loving blue jays.
The first time I read your post I thought the title was "Sam" not "5 AM" and re-read it twice wondering who Sam was. That's OK, it was good the third time around too.
Ceci
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