As
I’ve described before, my little Café Cosy – the feeding station in the
concrete ditch outside my apartment’s sliding glass door – has a wide variety
of customers. Lately, word seems to have spread among the magpies in the
vicinity.
Magpies
are not among my favourite species of bird. They strike me as a rather
aggressive lot. I’ve seen them chase cats – I recently had to rescue Jessel,
from where he had taken refuge under a parked car, by chasing off the magpies
that were dive-bombing him – and I know they raid the nests of other birds. On
the other hand, they have their purpose in nature, and they are doing what they
must to survive and thrive. Besides, if they eat at my restaurant, they are
less likely to eat other animals.
Initially,
the pies were content to glean the kernels of hard-food I would throw on to the
grass for them and other birds. But, being smart creatures, they soon found the
source: the hard-food bowl in its little shelter. They have, in effect, moved from
the café’s sidewalk tables to inside dining. They also seem to appreciate the
water-bowl.
I
don’t mind. Autumn will be here in a few weeks, and then the cold and,
possibly, snow will make foraging difficult. The food I provide will help
whoever wants it to fatten up for the tough times animals face in the dark
months. Last night, Jessel came by and had a good meal, followed about an hour
later by Sable, who ate two courses, a tin of soft-food with a helping of hard,
afterward. The raccoons finished off what food was left, and drank and/or
spilled the water.
The
staff of Café Cosy was busy yesterday…
Cafe Cosy is certainly becoming "the place to be". You may need to hire additional staff in the near future. Perhaps Josie, Renn, Tucker and Neville can be put to work. :-)
ReplyDeleteBased on their aptitude so far - I suspect not...
DeleteAll animals know there is always a warm welcome at Cafe Cosy.
ReplyDeleteWe endeavour to make it a positive dining experience.
DeleteThe Cafe is beginning to remind me of the barroom scene in “Star Wars”: a hangout for every creature in the galaxy!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should provide music...
DeleteA most pleasant experience to add to the ambiance of the Cafe. Perhaps suggestions as to the soft music should be forthcoming? Or martial music for the Pies?
DeleteHmm... bet no one is leaving a fat tip for such fine service!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy if the customers don't break the place up.
DeleteImpressive looking patrons of cosy cafe. No doubt they mind
ReplyDeletetheir manners and use the correct forks and spoons as needed.
However, nice to know Jessel and Sable were not deprived.
We have Bluejays that visit our cozy cafe when the ferals are not there.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not..The black and white Magpie
ReplyDeleteis widely considered one of the most intelligent
animals in the world...And about the only bird that
can recognise it's 'own' reflection..HeHe! Joke
there somewhere..! :).
And..a few years ago, when the boys used to go
off shooting in nearby woods, they would bring me
rooks they had shot..l used to remove the breast
meat, and make what we called a Gamekeepers Pie..
No Magpies though..bad luck to shoot one..or so
they say..! :(.
And..There are numerous superstitions relating
to the Magpie..Well worth reading..
Just in case..! :).
I had many clientele at mine too...raccoons helped with clean-up after they had supper at my container garden of tomatoes and peppers and onions. And I found they enjoyed the hummingbird nectar as an aperitif after. I was thinking to leave an assortment of cigars out there for after dinner/breakfast/lunch postprandial time. I like being a good host.
ReplyDeleteThe raccoons at your restaurant seem a more discriminating lot than those here. Mine are rather rowdy.
DeleteWell...truth be known, so are mine. They were terrible guests at the unintended Cafe of vegetables and nectar. I thought Katie would pop her gussets she was so intricately outraged. My vertical blinds are forever twisted what with her great forceful protestations at 1 in the morning. The screams could be heard on the moon.
DeleteI'm not sure I'd be thrilled to see magpies at a feeding station. But I suppose, as you say, that's better than them eating the eggs out of another bird's nest. They were always treated as pests on the farm, and although it may have been bad luck my younger brother spent many an hour hunting and shooting them. I'm sure they were happy when he moved away from home...as Dad couldn't shoot anything.
ReplyDeleteguyz....we could... N wood... commint on thiz post
ReplyDeletebut given de subjectz matter......we will
P.A.Z.Z.
and St Francis will bee proud oh uz for keepin R mouthz shut :) ☺☺♥♥
The other day I found a very strange stool in the back room where I put the ferals food. I am not sure what it was but it was surely not a cat. Since Big Ginger is still around every night I think he is still taking charge of who comes and goes. I have not seen my little girl Fanny but she does not come daily. I think she prefers wild prey and females are the better hunters. Especially after her having kittens and being a pretty healthy Mom before I got her TNRd. I wonder how kits are now?
ReplyDelete