birding-aus

unwelcome living room visitor

To: <>
Subject: unwelcome living room visitor
From: "Arwen B. Ximenes" <>
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:03:22 +1000
Hi all,

Here's my story of how I got rid of one this morning.

I was running late due to a stubborn toddler this morning (as all mornings) and 
was mid bag gathering when a dark shape flitted across my peripheral vision and 
there was an almighty WUMP on our living room window. Spinning round I see a 
magpie flying away from the window - towards us! After screaming, the panic set 
in and after that the toddler was eliminated from the room (relatively gently) 
and front door opened. But now what? Magpie alternating escape attempts between 
both living room windows and kitchen window which had all been cleaned on the 
weekend for the first time ever - ah! - ok, shut blinds. Magpie caught between 
stereo and wall - beak open, panting in its own panic. Looks fine, no broken 
leg or injured wing yet from what I can tell. Right, now for desperate measures 
- move speaker, shoo maggie out, hold up blanket as high as possible and 
pretend to be moving wall. WOW, IT WORKS!! Maggie out the door in no time. I'm 
sure you all could have told me that but when you've got a magpie whirling 
round your house it's hard to think straight. It probably got at least 10 hits 
into windows and looked very stressed - I'm hoping it'll be fine and won't die 
from shock. It had been hanging around yesterday - it behaved like a young one 
and was a bit thin but had adult plumage. I don't think it'll be coming back to 
visit. And the miracle is - nothing was broken, not a paper out of place, nor a 
trace of bird poo behind the stereo - or anywhere else. PHEW - but I'd still 
rather do my birding outdoors. Moral to the story - don't leave any doors open 
and don't clean windows.

Anyone else have any similar experiences and can share tactics? (Please no 
snake stories, I want to sleep tonight!!)

Cheers,
Arwen


......................................... Arwen Blackwood Ximenes
Lawson, Blue Mountains, 
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