4 April 2009

Andrew Cunningham’s hopes of catching up with four Garganey at Bowling Green Marsh on 14 March didn’t materialise – but he did witness another, rather gruesome spectacle.

Andrew writes: “I made a flying visit to Bowling Green Marsh this morning hoping to see the four Garganey. There was no sign of them but to the left of the hide I watched a Carrion Crow eating frogs.

The crow was watching the ripples at the edge of the water where several frogs were mating. It would grab one out of the shallow water and drag it on to dry land to devour. Sometimes it would pull two or three together, still clinging to each other.

The resilience of the frogs was remarkable. Even with their innards partly hanging out or legs dismembered they still tried to get back into the water to continue passing on their genes.

A second crow came to watch the proceedings but, fortunately for the frogs, was rather inept at catching any frogs. The more adept bird would pluck the choicest red flesh from its prey and discard the rest, which the less choosy second Crow would carry off and wolf down. In all about five or six frogs were caught before the satiated crow flew off."

Crow taking frogs – Bowling Green March – © Andrew Cunningham – 14 March 2009