_Brian wrote: » You could try a few eggs, has worked here in the past.
Discodog wrote: » Larsen traps are cruel & your idea is pointless. Take Magpies away & you just create a new vacant territory for another to move into.
Uriel Glamorous Hog wrote: » If you keep the numbers down you should notice an increase in song birds returning to the area over time.
The study found that songbird numbers were no different in places where there were many magpies from where there are few. It found no evidence that increased numbers of magpies have caused declines in songbirds and confirms that populations of prey species are not determined by the numbers of their predators. Availability of food and suitable nesting sites are probably the main factors limiting songbird populations.
Hadley Unimportant Tenet wrote: » As someone who sent his life in the management of wildlife, I can tell you that removing Magpies from a garden is absolutely pointless. Where there's two Magpies there is bound to be dozens nearby. Other magpies will just fill the void. And the killing of Magpies, or disturbing nesting, is only permitted under licence and for birds causing agricultural or game problems. You are not permitted to randomly remove them because they wake you up in the morning. Edit. The comment about their impact on songbird numbers is proven to be a complete myth.
magicbastarder wrote: » https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/magpie/effect-on-songbirds
Uriel Glamorous Hog wrote: » That's great and all, but witnessing it first hand is somewhat different to reading it online. Nobody said you can remove the nest because they are a nuisance to you :rolleyes: Less of the strawman arguments Removing magpies is not pointless, or are they just not important enough?
Hadley Unimportant Tenet wrote: » The fact remains that removing two from a garden is, without doubt, utterly pointless because two more will replace them within 4 months - fact.
udikv2fg53brjt wrote: » When you use a trap, you don't create a vacant territory as said above. They could still visit a neighbouring garden. You remove the pests from your immediate area, the other magpies are aware of the danger, and avoid the garden accordingly.
Effects wrote: » A neighbour of mine recently had their hedge trimmed. It exposed two different blackbird's nests. Magpies wiped out both nests and the fledglings that were in them. I've no time for the assholes now.
udikv2fg53brjt wrote: » What about the magpies entering my chicken coop and eating all the eggs?
Ewan Hoosarmi wrote: » Your neighbour is the problem there. Leave hedges alone at this time of year!
Discodog wrote: You can't blame wildlife that takes advantage of an easy meal. Just make it more secure.
Discodog wrote: » Lots of predators will take advantage which is why it is illegal to cut hedges in the nesting season.
udikv2fg53brjt wrote: » The magpie is the only wildlife that tries to take advantage.
Discodog wrote: » It's sad, that in an age of information, people still follow the old ways. Some animals have the misfortune to be labelled as Vermin. This means we can forget that they feel pain & suffer distress. It's also sad that gardeners, most of which appreciate nature, want to cause suffering. The people that use these methods will always ignore research. Their experience, in their tiny subjective area, will always be more relevant than actual facts.
Hadley Unimportant Tenet wrote: » Hang on. You were the one who said the state allows the destruction of their nests. I qualified that open statement. I don't think they are any more or less important than any species and don't get your comment in that regard. The fact remains that removing two from a garden is, without doubt, utterly pointless because two more will replace them within 4 months - fact.
Uriel Glamorous Hog wrote: » You can debate the morality of them all you wish but the state allows the killing of magpies and destruction of their nests. Larson traps work wonders in areas where other means of culling is not possible (shooting). If you keep the numbers down you should notice an increase in song birds returning to the area over time. Try a decoy and a recording if you can't get a live call bird. ) Best of luck.
Discodog wrote: » ...it is illegal to cut hedges in the nesting season.