Dear all,
I am writing to you about a couple of spots I had over the weekend at the Welsh Harp (NW4) and was wondering on your thoughts. This is my first forum post of any type so apologies in advance for any faux pas.

Surrounding one of the paths are sloe bushes, brambles and a large rowan tree, however the full area contains many different berried flora. Shuttling between the 3 trees were great, blue and long-tailed tits, green and chaffinches and several warblers (more of that later). I did not notice any birds on the other trees or shrubs. I was wondering is it common for different species to intermingle at this time of the year and why the preference for these three trees? I’ve seen this behaviour in the wild only in winter months but normally with tits or finches, not a mix. Is there strong social interactions between geneses and species or is it just toleration due to the common food source? The only other times I’ve seen were at a bird feeder where you will generally get everything in the area. Am I putting too much thought into this?

The warblers looked like a wood warbler due to the yellow colouration and the strip through the eye but I admit I have trouble differentiating between this and willow warblers. Is there a trick for when they are silent?

In addition, I saw a heron attack a magpie in flight and was one of the most thrilling things I’ve seen. I heard two herons calling to each other, one was in the air and the other on the reservoir. The heron in flight was following a magpie (I had to double take since it looked tiny in comparison to the heron and with nothing to gage size with and only the tail shape to definitely confirm). They both wheeled clockwise and the heron lunged at the magpie and they both headed towards the ground. Unfortunately , I could not get to the site quick enough (too many paths to too many destinations). I know that birds will defend their territory for nesting but I have not seen a bird actively chase another is this common?

Much appreciation of your time for reading this

Hello SPF, welcome to the forums!


That's a very interesting question, and one I can't be completely sure on. I would think that they tolerate each other due to the common food source, especially as it sounds like their is plenty of food in that area. As you said, different species will always be found at a bird feeder so I suppose it would be the same in the wild.

That's amazing that you saw a heron attack a magpie, I've never seen anything like that before! Someone else here might have though

Ive seen about 5 seagulls attacking a heron. I think that they were thinking 'get off my patch.'

From the US perspective...

It is quite common for certain birds to form 'feeding flocks' in the winter. In particular, small insect eating birds tend to clump together. So Black-capped Chickadees will feed with Bushtits, and the two species together will associate with Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Here, at least, the attraction is not the berries--it's the bugs.

I can't answer the question about the warbler, but I'll venture a few guesses about the heron.

It's possible that the heron was pursuing the magpie to induce the magpie to give up some food (so, food theft), OR, not as likely, the heron could have been pursuing the magpie to kill it and eat it.

Welcome to Wildlife UK, SPF !

Kingfisher

Yes the heron could just have been telling the magpie that this is his territory, although I didn't realise herons were territorial?