The Magpies are around all year but their visits are typically brief, and they usually come as a pair. They can look quite regal, strutting across the lawn - a bit like a crow in evening dress.

In 2003, there were a number of young magpies around.

Photograph (above) July 2003

Magpies have a reputation for being aggressive birds and in 2004 the magpies certainly seemed to have the upper hand over the crows as this dramatic picture illustrates.

Photograph (right) June 2004

Both pictures will enlarge.

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