Thieving Magpies

I had to get the camera when I saw this scene in the yard. The second magpie decided to fly when I opened the window but this one stayed rooted, eyes on it's prey.

The farm cats still survive, presumably on rats and mice. As sorry as I feel for them, I can't entice them into my garden. I don't feed them and as far as I know the neighbours don't either. It may well be that Graeme came to collect his post and threw something for them in the trough.

The cats are as wild as feral cats can be. There's no way you can touch them. Having caught a couple up to rehome them I can assure you they have claws and teeth which they are prepared to use in anger. Although they seem to leave poultry alone there isn't a wild bird that they don't stalk and I've watched them dragging pheasant poults over the gamekeepers pens before now.

I can understand why many people don't care for Magpies. They are mostly black, raid any nest they can find and are very, very smart. Working as an efficient team, this pair were quite happy to hassle a very hungry cat to steal it's food. Is that courage or stupidity? I can't but think the former is true.