A to Z challenge 2023 – M is for . . .
My
theme for this challenge is Nature in all much of her wonderful
diversity. My posts will reflect the fact that I am resident in the south of
England.
All
photographs in this post are the property of the writer.
Magpie (Pica pica)
Although it may be described as a black and white bird, the magpie displays other glossy iridescent colours of purple, green and blue on its wings and tail.
The long tail amounts to half the entire length of the bird, except for young magpies, which have short tails. Juveniles also look rather washed-out, with their white parts looking quite grubby.
For some reason Rudyard Kipling's poem came to mind, or, rather, the refrain:
'Boots-boots-boots-boots-movin’ up and down again!'
There are several collective nouns for magpies – conventicle, gulp, mischief, tidings or tribe. I like the alliteration of ‘mischief of magpies’.
A mischief of magpies will frequently gather in spring to decide territorial rights and social hierarchy. This is important because magpies do not stray far from the areas in which they hatch.
Magpies often pair for life, and when preparing to breed, male and female build a large, untidy nest from branches and twigs and line it with mud and leafy material. Both parents feed the young.
I suggest that most of us know the nursery rhyme about magpies, which counts to seven, but the longest rhyme is local to Lancashire.
One
for sorrow, two for joy,
Three
for a girl, four for a boy,
Five
for silver, six for gold,
Seven
for a secret never to be told.
Eight
for a wish, nine for a kiss,
Ten
a surprise you should be careful not to miss,
Eleven
for health, twelve for wealth,
Thirteen
beware, it’s the devil himself.
Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata)
The caterpillars of this tiny pretty moth feed on herbs like mint, thyme and marjoram and this is where adults are likely to be found resting during the day when they are not flying. The moths also fly at night.
The mint moth is sometimes called the small purple and gold and can be seen on the wing from April to September, and occasionally a month either side.
It occurs patchily across England, Wales, southern Scotland and the Inner Hebrides. Sunny summer days are the best times to try and spot them.
Moss
I know very little about moss, but a closer look reveals a miniature world of wonder.
