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Blackbird and Slow worm, extended showing its length
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Morvern
Blackbird (Turdus merula) and Slow worm (Anguis fragilis), Kingairloch, Morvern. Given that the length of a typical Blackbird is about 25cm, it is estimated that this Slow worm must have measured about 20cm, so it is likely to be a young Slow worm, (an adult being 40 to 50cm in length).
06 June 2019
Blackbird attacking wriggling Slow worm
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Morvern
Blackbird (Turdus merula) attacking a Slow worm (Anguis fragilis), Kingairloch, Morvern. The Slow worm is wriggling in an attempt to escape from the Blackbird.
06 June 2019
Blackbird and wriggling Slow worm
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Morvern
Blackbird (Turdus merula) and Slow worm (Anguis fragilis), Kingairloch, Morvern. The Slow worm is wriggling in an attempt to escape from the Blackbird.
06 June 2019
Blackbird picking up Slow worm tail
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Morvern
Blackbird (Turdus merula) attacking a Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis), Kingairloch, Morvern. The Slow Worm has shed its tail to distract the Blackbird from attacking the main part of its body. The Blackbird pecked at its tail, then flew off with it. The Slow Worm escaped into the grass, so the strategy was successful. However, the Slow Worm will still have to use up energy to grow another tail, so it may or may not survive in the longer run.
