Another very useful thread
I have been shooting any Magpies that I see in my garden believing that under the UK general licence I was legal to do this on the basis that Magpies would kill and eat any other bird, eggs or chicks whenever they get the opportunity.
Then I read something on another site that said you were breaking the Law to do this.

After reading this thread it seems clear that I can shoot Magpies at any time in my Garden to protect other wild birds.