Getting rid of Magpie

[icarus]

There is a magpie sat in next doors tree driving me banana's with the chattering, its been at it for days. Its chased the song birds out of the tree and has taken up ownership, probably the same one that took the thrush chicks from my garden earlier in the year.
The neighbour asked me to shoot it but theres another house behind it so I can't risk the shot.

He even threw an apple at it out of frustration the other day Tried a water pistol but it keeps coming back.

Its driving us both nuts, any suggestions?

[Tony.T]

put bait on the ground?

I believe a broken egg is supposed to be effective- never tried it myself, yet, but i could be tempted

Tony

[JJSTEALTH]

i feel your pain
last time i had to deal with magies i put an old pair of rolled up socks (black and white of course) made them to sort of look like a magie and sat pulling a string (to make it move a bit) while shaking the obligatory 3/4 full 35mm film tub every now and then,
i felt pretty stupid ,but it got it down to the garden
in a strange way i actualy admire them
JASON..

[MILO]

Its driving us both nuts, any suggestions?

Yeh, Shoot the f##cker...... .... ....

Seriously though, find the best vantage point from either your's or your neighbour's house, and make sure you are well hidden, put a few slices of bread on the ground and the black + white pirate wont be able to resist.

GOOD LUCK
MILO

[phil384]

I've managed to call them in with a half full (see I'm an optimist ) box of matches. Maybe they're smokers?

[L-S-R]

remember to soak the bread so he cant lift a bit and fly off! make him sit and peck more chance of a shot, dont miss as he wont be as easily persuaded in close again!

[snock]

Yeah, a broken egg works wonders, as does an old teddy bear, as long as its got bright yellow eyes they will swoop for it.

[aaront]

Just break an egg on the ground in full view of the magpie and your shooting spot and leave it.

Silver foil sometimes attracts them too

wet bread works if you can get them on the ground

Try all 3 and see.

Make sure you dont shoot untill it has started to feed.

[corkscrew]

is it legal ?

[snock]

What? baiting a magpie? Yes it is.

[corkscrew]

i think you will find the general licence does not include shooting any bird in a garden

[MILO]

remember to soak the bread so he cant lift a bit and fly off! make him sit and peck more chance of a shot, dont miss as he wont be as easily persuaded in close again!

Yeh, they are weary as f##ck as it is, so try not to miss, or you will be in for a long wait for the next shot...... ... ...

MILO

[Northernspark]

Have you got literature to back this up?

Steve

[corkscrew]

if you want to keep magies out of your garden, buy a magpie deek and stick it in a prominant spot. that will keep them away.

[John Henry 1]

i think you will find the general licence does not include shooting any bird in a garden

The general licence allows you to shoot any allowed species on land [not from land] that you have permission to shoot on, your garden included, provided that it is the required distance from a public highway