Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

At this particular moment in time, I am indeed very fortunate. It has been over a month since a Covid-19 case was reported in Canberra, Australia’s national capital. This means that I am relatively free to go about my business provided I maintain social distancing, which for me is relatively easy. That being the case, I have been continuing my winter training, the purpose of which is to ensure that as many magpies as possible make my acquaintance before magpie swooping/breeding season kicks in.

Magpies have a fantastic memory for faces and the chances are good that they won’t swoop if they recognise you as someone who will do them no harm (cyclists may dispute this).

Spare a thought, however, for the residents of Victoria (Australia), who are largely confined to home except for quick trips to the supermarket, caring responsibilities or daily exercise, the latter being restricted to one hour per day and within 5 kilometres of home. When Victorians do get out and about, the wearing of masks is mandatory. Victorians are rocking those masks and they are doing fantastically well at bringing coronavirus infection rates down. Yay, Victoria. This brings me to the speculation by Sean Dooley, National Public Affairs Manager of Birdlife Australia, that magpies may not be able to recognise their people due to the masks, and that this may lead to a rise in swooping incidents. Yikes!

Maybe I should wear my mask when I conduct my magpie training, in case masks outside the home are mandated in future in my area too? Maybe magpies need time to get used to the new look? Gotta love those magpies, even if they sometimes don’t love us back. ❤

I would like to dedicate my Friday song to all the Australian magpies. Let’s have some Ella Fitzgerald today. She has a lovely warble.

Before I go, I would like to apologise to readers for my tardiness in responding to comments; what with the arty farty work and the magpie training, life is a little hectic.

Stay safe, stay sane and stay kind this weekend and always.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

32 thoughts on “Love You, Love You Not”

  1. Confusing times for the magpies. I have had to take a couple of double looks and have had a few mistaken identities when out and about. People should not change the look of their eyebrows at this time.

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    1. I think they will too, Michael. I think they remember what people wear too, so a mask is only a small addition to the usual outfit. They don’t swoop me when I wear a scarf and beanie. 🙂
      I thought Ella’s version of the Cole Porter song was wonderful.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Interesting thought about magpies not recognising someone wearing a mask.

    ….and yes, complete lockdown (and curfew) in Melbourne is getting really tedious, even for me who’s been used to being homes indoors over the last 18 months. I wonder if our reduction in new cases is partly because there has been a severe reduction in those getting tested though (and therefore new or asymptomatic cases not being detected?). With the majority of new cases being in aged care, I’m not sure how many cases there really are out in the wider community.

    If this strict lockdown works and we don’t get a 3rd wave after lockdown finishes in 4 weeks time, then I think there’s some evidence that the strict rules do have a real effect.

    Love the magpie shots.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m not sure I agree with Sean’s suggestion about the masks, Vicky. The magpies seem to have no problem recognising me when I wear my scarf and beanie, which I am a lot now! Still I thought it made a good story. 🙂

      I agree the covid situation is a bit unclear down your way. Norman Swan’s discussion of this on Coronacast today was pretty interesting. The high numbers of health care workers being infected is cause for concern, both in its own right and for those people like you who need medical support.

      Like

  7. Although apparently Australian magpies were introduced into NZ in the nineteenth century, I’ve never seen one here. Probably quite happy not to, since I’d u doubt eddy freak out I’d swooped upon and wouldn’t come across as a friend to be avoided in the future.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. All is well for the time being, Dries. Probably just luck combined with reasonable curbs on activity. In the meantime, I do my usual winter magpie training. If not for this training schedule, I would probably spend far too much time on the couch during winter. 🙂
      Are you all well, Dries?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We’re quite allright, Tracy, and thankful for every glimmer of hope on the horizon that may signal an end to this topsy-turvy period so that life can return to some semblance of normality.
        Keep training those magpies, you ought to soon be recognised as an Australian hero for bringing peace to the warring factions!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Magpie swooping sounds like a nightmare. I have the same problem with redwing blackbirds in the spring. What should be a leisurely walk usually ends with me running with my head down. This may sound funny but for someone with a bird phobia it is frightening.

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    1. It’s no fun at the time, that’s for sure, Sue.
      I was going to choose a tune from The Birds soundtrack, then thought I had better not just in case you read this post. Thankfully, you’re going into autumn and don’t have to worry about those blackbirds for a while.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I wish it was like that here in the States! I live in Washington state and we are doing ok, but for the most part there are enough people who refuse to do their part and be responsible to scuttle the efforts the rest of us make. Very frustrating.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I feel your pain. Only a disaster can come of governments refusing to follow expert health advice. It is no wonder many citizens feel entitled to do whatever they like.
      We have quite a few that don’t take the situation seriously as well, but they generally see the sense in making a small sacrifice for the greater good when our government threatens to close down industries. The majority try to do the right thing though.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I think that the irresponsible actions have caused so much harm that if there was a vaccine tomorrow it wouldn’t matter. There are business that are not going to be able to come back and worst of all, there are people who are not coming back too.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Listening to Ella as I munch on my walnut toast …. thank you for this soothing way to start my morning!

    You are such a wealth of information, Tracy – I don’t think I’ve ever been swooped by a magpie (lucky me) … maybe i have a common face or a non-threatening demeanor? but i never knew they can recognise faces.

    Good to hear that things are well – continue to be safe & healthy!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Poor magpies! I’ve seen people wear masks with a photo of themselves printed on them, they’re really good, I thought they weren’t wearing one! Would that help the magpies?
    The ones living in my backyard had two sets of babies this year – what a racket! 😂
    Love Ella Fitzgerald.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well that is a great idea, Sarah. I haven’t encountered any problems with our magpies but I don’t wear a mask when I’m out walking. I’m mostly alone and there are only a few people in the distance.
      At least your magpie population is doing well!
      Me too re Ella.

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