Magpies!

[Roughquest]

I live in a built up area but am becoming increasingly concerned at the vast number of magies we have, they are destructive, noisey creatures and they eat aything and everything and steal my cats food too! Is there anyway of culling them by putting poison down?
Thanks.
RQ xx

[brooklyn77]

Cetti - Well done, you are one of only a few people with a brain on their shoulders..I have taken liberty to copy and paste a section of the website you posted followed by some of my own comments..

Magpies are fully protected by the European Union Birds Directive. The UK Government has derogated (made an exception) from the Directive in relation to control of magpies.

..magpies may be killed or taken by 'authorised persons', using permitted methods, for the purposes of:

* preventing serious damage to agricultural crops or livestock
* preserving public health/air safety
* conserving wild birds.

An 'authorised person' is a landowner or occupier..

..the Larsen trap.
This is legal as long as the decoy bird is humanely treated and given food and water daily.

The trap must be checked regularly, at least every 24 hrs. Any magpie or crow caught may be humanely destroyed. Any non-target species must be released.

Magpies may be shot, ...Shooting must be well away from public roads and houses, so is seldom possible in urban areas.

So, you cant do it near houses or roads...so that rules out our city friend being able to shoot birds...so the only answer is for them to adapt to nature rather than destroy it

[Roughquest]

Gosh, seems I have opened up a can of worms here, I cold not shoot the darn things if I tried, Im a terrible shot.

I agree with the cats thing too, even though i own two of my own, they can be ruthless where birds are concerned, no matter how big the bell around their necks, they seem to adopt a way of walking so the bell doesnt sound! Looks like there is no answer to this. Wish i never asked the q in the first place. Goodnight all.

Brooklyn/Feebee - Whatever, temper temper, please dont hurl insults at me and my intelligence. Please keep to the original nature of the post please.

[woodchopper]

One of the questions asked on application for my firearm/s certificate is " What is the purpose for grant of and where will the firearm be used?
Purpose - Sporting and Vermin control on farmers lands on which I have permission. Which I may add that the majority of shooters list as their reasons.
So as long as they have stated these reasons on application thay are authorised.

[woodchopper]

Thought I would lighten the mood with this -

http://www.wackyvids.com/movies/general/921/du ckhunting.php

[Roughquest]

Well done Woodchopper, thank you for that, most excellent, thanks for your answers too, most sensible indeed and refreshing considering the majority of irrelavent answers given thus far.
I wont use a Larsen trap as what is the point in capturing them to take them to a vet and have them destroyed, i was awoken at 5 this morning by the horrid things trying to get into my open bedroom window! They were then sat (4 of them) on the drainpipe along the roof of my house screaming, squwaking and fighting for a good 3 hours....they are driving me nuts....
RQ x

[whiffey]

RoughQuest, I have little constructive to offer except my complete empathy.

I LOATHE magpies with an all-consuming hatred, and it is the noise, the incessant chattering and croaking. Sometimes I put my fingers in my ears and sing, but you can't do that all the time.

I have a very powerful air rifle, but I couldn't shoot them, because I couldn't shoot anything living (even squirrels), besides they pair for life and I'd want to get both of them.

They got my robin's nest last year. I think they are vile creatures, and appear now to be outnumbering even pigeons.

[fina]

all said and done magpies can be brilliant creatures, as a child i nursed several back to health along with pigeons and crows and they constantly came back year after year with their fledlings, i say befriend them ....feed them.... life could be alot worse..... and with the birds on your side, hitchcock is alot further away!!!!!

[brooklyn77]

Roughquest...

"most sensible indeed and refreshing considering the majority of irrelavent answers given thus far. "

In actual fact I and feebee gave some very good points and relevant answers.

I aggree that feebee's first answer was a little harsh but your response to that was even harsher and out of order entirley. I was meerly sticking up for that person.

The fact is that you think the answers given by us are irrelevant because you dont agree with our standpoint about nature....fair enough, but to dismiss our answers like that is silly.

But each to their own. Have a good day.

[Califer]

Magpies, like all other species, are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. This makes it illegal to intentionally or, in Scotland, recklessly take, injure or kill a magpie, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. In Northern Ireland, it is illegal to disturb birds at an active nest.

However, the law recognises that in some circumstances control may be necessary. Killing can only be done if specific conditions are met, and only where non-lethal methods of control are ineffective or impractical.

The UK Governments issue annually general licences (for which it is not necessary to apply individually) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Wildlife Order, some of which allow magpies to be killed or taken by 'authorised persons', using permitted methods, for the purposes of:

preventing serious damage to agricultural crops or livestock
preserving public health
conserving wild birds
preserving air safety.

An 'authorised person' is a landowner or occupier, or someone acting with the landowner's or occupier's permission.

Since general licences are reviewed annually and can be withdrawn or altered at any time, it is recommended that anyone wanting to exercise the licence should first check details on the relevant government department website or contact them for up to date legal advice and the exact terms of the licence.

[Califer]

Magpies, like all other species, are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. This makes it illegal to intentionally or, in Scotland, recklessly take, injure or kill a magpie, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. In Northern Ireland, it is illegal to disturb birds at an active nest.

However, the law recognises that in some circumstances control may be necessary. Killing can only be done if specific conditions are met, and only where non-lethal methods of control are ineffective or impractical.

The UK Governments issue annually general licences (for which it is not necessary to apply individually) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Wildlife Order, some of which allow magpies to be killed or taken by 'authorised persons', using permitted methods, for the purposes of:

preventing serious damage to agricultural crops or livestock
preserving public health
conserving wild birds
preserving air safety.

An 'authorised person' is a landowner or occupier, or someone acting with the landowner's or occupier's permission.

Since general licences are reviewed annually and can be withdrawn or altered at any time, it is recommended that anyone wanting to exercise the licence should first check details on the relevant government department website or contact them for up to date legal advice and the exact terms of the licence.

[Tim1234]

Just read the official line.... Magpies are protected mores the pity. Go to RSPB site. I like most animals but they need to be controlled. Magpies are too successful.