Plague of Magpies

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Hi,
We have at least a dozen magpies hopping around on the roofs of the houses here. I am looking for a way to get rid of them. Can't shoot them, too many witnesses.
Any clues?
Bin

 

[shuck raider]

Larsen Trap

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

Larsen Trap

seems like a lot of work
a .22 with salt rounds

 

[w00kie]

Get a cat.

 

[JJH]

I remember hearing somewhare that magpies are clased as vermin and can be treated as such ie RentaKill or some other company. Probley all changed now and they are procted or some other clasifed group and untouchable. JJH

 

[Fanum]

I've got a plague of chavs hanging around mine

Tel ya what, how about we swap...you bring your shotgun down here and clear up my vermin problem and I'll do your magpies in return

Job's a good'un

 

[Ravenbyrne]

here ya go
http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Advice/FAQ/MagpieFAQ/tabid/374/Default.aspx

 

[electric_monk]

Hi,
We have at least a dozen magpies hopping around on the roofs of the houses here. I am looking for a way to get rid of them. Can't shoot them, too many witnesses.
Any clues?
Bin

You don't happen to live in around Tymonville, 'cause i've seen one hell of a scary looking flock of magpies there this week.

 

[vireo]

Magpie numbers are reaching a peak now as this years young birds are recruited in to the popualtion and small 'flocks' can form - I've seen over 80 together later in the year......

They tend to suffer very significant number losses as the autumn and winter arrive as many weak birds will not survive - I forget the estimates, but well over 50% of the young birds die in the first year. They will disperse in due course, but they can create a fair noise in the meantime. I dont think there's any strong evidence that killing one and hanging up a corpse induces the others to piss off - despite it being common practice on farms.

As for getting a cat, its the last thing I would advise (apart from the fact that they are vermin too......and will cause even more trouble for small song birds than the Magpie). If its one thing that Magpie's love to do its torment cats, and the racket they create while doing so will leave a lasting impression (or more likely, wake you up nice and early )

V

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Looks like controlling Magpies is Mission Impossible. Feck.

 

[Decster]

Looks like controlling Magpies is Mission Impossible. Feck.

if you cant shoot them, fireworks might be effective to scare them..

 

[P.J.]

. . shape a weighted dome with chickenwire, prop up with stick, end of which is tied to bait at far end of propped dome. When squawking is heard, rush out, reach in & twist neck. Set up trap for next birdie & so on . .

 

[edmac]

A Bren Gun

 

[john_aero]

air rifle is an easy clean, safe way to kill them

bt i do prefer the 12auge shotgun, if it doesnt kill all of them thenoise will frighten the crap out of the rest of them

 

[Dickieboy]

Get a cat.

As Vireo has already said Magpies like nothing better than to tease cats, and I've seen a pair of Magpies working together to get some scraps off a dog.

air rifle is an easy clean, safe way to kill them

+1 a good air rifle, use it from a bedroom window and no one will be any the wiser

 

[BAKERMAN]

Two in our genuine pig cage now

 

[Ogmios]

we've a one eyed cat as a result of a tag team magpie attack.
one distracted her / the other swooped, pecked and did the damage.

overall though in my experience - (intelligent) cats beat magpies hands down!
Good Luck.

 

[flash of the gap]

you can purchase a gin trap that,s very effective or failing that get in touch with the irish hawking club and invite them around for a days sparrow hawking a great days sport

 

[luke scott]

Was told by a park ranger in st anns park in clontarf that they had the biggest concentration of magpies in Ireland.

 

[Ogmios]

Was told by a park ranger in st anns park in clontarf that they had the biggest concentration of magpies in Ireland.

attracted by the shiny shiny discarded needles, burnt spoons and tinfoil?