I live in Tunbridge Wells and we are overrun with magpies - I often count 15 in a single walk around the common. Blackbirds started building a nest in our garden and almost simultaneously 2 magpies started circling and landing on the lawn - almost as if they were marking a new territory. Today the magpies have started an attack of sorts - flying repeatedly into the hedge where the nest is as I think the eggs have been laid. It is really upsetting watching these aggressive predatory birds in action. We've got so few songbirds left in our area - just a whole load of magpies. Any advice? Thanks Lisa
Not a lot can be done. Local farmers and gamekeepers shoot magpies here. That's magpies role in the food chain though, what you have described. Gardens, esp 21st Century ones, have become almost unviable breeding territories in many parts of UK imo. So few areas suitable for nests so easier for magpies to find them....less areas to search.... It is a thorny issue, predation. There will always be the argument, 'that's nature'. However, with the World so overly influenced by humans, 'that's nature' doesn't really stack up as an argument anymore as the playing field is no longer natural to a large extent. Sorry I can't help with advice, but realistically it's unsolvable. Culling in urban areas will never happen. Magpie proof blackbird/song bird nests will never happen. (with obvious exceptions like a few pairs nesting in sheds etc.....)