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Nuisance magpies

Clarec
07/08/2023 09:30

Good morning. May I start off by saying how much I love birds and have enjoyed watching them as long as I can remember. 
i have a pine tree at the back of my house and I believe there are at least six magpies living there. 
we have managed to co-exist quite nicely up until now (had a dive-bombing incident once).  They have started to bang on the roof and chimney. Whilst it is highly annoying and echoes through the house, my main concern is that they may cause damage to the roof or chimney. I am a single person with no ability or knowledge of how to get onto roof and was hoping that maybe someone could offer some advice please. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this and have a lovely day!  Clare

  • 07/08/2023 09:51

    Clare,

    You might be interested in the following thread: Groups of Magpies at this time of year.

    https://community.rspb.org.uk/nature-on-your-doorstep/f/wildlife-in-the-garden/282304/groups-of-magpies-at-this-time-of-year/1420098#1420098

    We have five magpies, all getting up to adolescent type activities and mischief, and likewise, three crows who seem to calmly rule the patch.

    Magpies, part of the corvid family, are very intelligent birds, and very similar to crows in their antics. I like the reference to PGL (Parents Get Lost, an outdoor activity program for young people started in the late 1950's), for those who are old enough to remember the organisation.

    regards

    John

  • 07/08/2023 10:04
    Thank you for this John. Is there anywhere that holds information on how to stop this. As lovely as they are from a distance I really do not want damage to be caused to my house
  • 07/08/2023 10:18 in reply to Clarec
    I wouldn't worry. I can't see how Magpies could damage your house. I assume your house has a normal tile roof, and the chimney is built out of brick. Takes a fair amount of force to damage.

    You'd very surprised how noisy a bird simply landing and walking about on a roof can be. Wood pigeons seem to take great delight in walking on our tile roof, first thing in the morning. They clunk around up there, with what sounds like size 12, steel capped, hobnail boots.

    We sometimes get pigeons fighting on our flat roofed conservatory. It's like having a barn dance, with participants wearing clogs, going on up there.

    They'll get bored and move on. Some to establish territories of their own, far away. Others will get predated.

    90% luck, 5% field craft, 5% camera skills.

  • 07/08/2023 10:25 in reply to Angus M
    Thank you Angus. That’s reassuring. Sadly I don’t think they’ll go far as they seem to live in the pine tree at the bottom of garden.
    I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and taking the time to reply.
    Have a great day!
    Clare
  • 08/08/2023 14:05 in reply to Clarec
    Clarec said:
    Thank you for this John. Is there anywhere that holds information on how to stop this. As lovely as they are from a distance I really do not want damage to be caused to my house

    Not a problem, and I would be very surprised if any damage to your house would happen. As Angus says, houses are very substantial, the magpies are not lifting boulders and dropping them.

    They can be mischievous, it's natural, it's what they do, spend some time watching them, it is a show of prowess, cheek and fun. If anything, the pine tree is more likely to cause damage to the house due to the ever growing roots in years to come.

    regards

    John