The Magpie Lurks
The Tree Swallows are happily building their home in our nesting box on the birch tree. We enjoy watching them from our patio. Sometimes one swallow will sit on a tree branch about 20′ away guarding the nest, and every once in awhile we will see a swallow’s head peeking out the entry hole.
Lately, a showy black and white Magpie has been hanging around. This morning the swallows nest looked empty, sometimes they leave the nest to forage for food, the Magpie flew in and surveyed the scene from a tall tree. Suddenly he swooped down and flew straight toward the swallow box! In a flash out of nowhere the two swallows zoomed straight in on him, like miniature fighter jets darting and charging, chasing him out of sight.
It is so impressive to watch the survival instinct in these birds, and their fierce protection of the nest of eggs with seeds of unborn babies inside. Nature provides lessons for us if we only take the time to watch and learn.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
