Magpies

Friday, 2nd July 2004
Wild West Yorkshire nature diary

Throughout the day heavy showers alternate with bright warm intervals. Not so inviting for getting into the garden to work, draw or eat but perfect growing weather. The onions are swelling, the runner beans are dotted with scarlet flowers.

When Jim lived next door - with his guns, dogs and ferret - we rarely saw magpies in the garden. Today we have four. A family of them flies in from the wood, attracted by breadcrumbs that a sparrow has spilt onto the lawn from the feeder.

Richard Bell, richard@willowisland.co.uk