Magpie nest in garden..... good or bad?

[Paul Giverin]

We've got a really "bird-friendly" garden and we get on average 15
nesting pairs every year. Last year we had Blackbirds, Song Thrush,
Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tits (in
boxes).

Our garden overlooks open fields to the rear and in the past couple of
years we have seen a lot more Crows and Magpies than usual. During the
past week, a pair of Magpies have started building a nest in the tall
hawthorn bushes at the end of the garden. I don't mind them. They are
usually quite shy and they do bring a splash of colour but I'm worried
that their presence will have a negative effect on the other nesting
birds.

Am I worrying about nothing?

[MikE ©ampbell]

"Paul Giverin" <***@giverin.co.uk> wrote in message news:***@10.0.0.3...
: We've got a really "bird-friendly" garden and we get on average 15
: nesting pairs every year. Last year we had Blackbirds, Song Thrush,
: Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tits (in
: boxes).
:
: Our garden overlooks open fields to the rear and in the past couple of
: years we have seen a lot more Crows and Magpies than usual. During the
: past week, a pair of Magpies have started building a nest in the tall
: hawthorn bushes at the end of the garden. I don't mind them. They are
: usually quite shy and they do bring a splash of colour but I'm worried
: that their presence will have a negative effect on the other nesting
: birds.
:
: Am I worrying about nothing?
:
Magpies usually make a few nests before selecting one. If you don't want it
in your garden knock it down, they will always use one of their alternative
sites.

[Gill]

well strictly speaking a magpie nest is protected as soon as it's being
built. You can knock it down if you are the land owner or have
premission from the land owner but only if you can meet the terms of a
general licence as described by DEFRA. Silly I know but there it is.
I personally like magpies, they are a lot of fun to watch espcially
with fledgelings in tow they have an amazing vocal range - apprently
can be taught to talk. Yes they probably will eat the nestlings of
some of the nests in you garden, but magpies have been doing this since
they evolved and the little birds manage to survive, there is a reason
smaller birds have lots of chicks and often two or three broods in a
season like your blackbird and thush. Perhaps put up some more wooden
nest boxes that the magpies can't get into? Otherwise enjoy the real-
life unedited wildlife documentary that occurs right under your nose in
your garden for your own private viewing!!

[Paul Giverin]

Post by Gill
well strictly speaking a magpie nest is protected as soon as it's being
built. You can knock it down if you are the land owner or have
premission from the land owner but only if you can meet the terms of a
general licence as described by DEFRA. Silly I know but there it is.
I personally like magpies, they are a lot of fun to watch espcially
with fledgelings in tow they have an amazing vocal range - apprently
can be taught to talk. Yes they probably will eat the nestlings of
some of the nests in you garden, but magpies have been doing this since
they evolved and the little birds manage to survive, there is a reason
smaller birds have lots of chicks and often two or three broods in a
season like your blackbird and thush. Perhaps put up some more wooden
nest boxes that the magpies can't get into? Otherwise enjoy the real-
life unedited wildlife documentary that occurs right under your nose in
your garden for your own private viewing!!

You are of course right. It's not for me to interfere. The magpie nest
is right at the bottom of the garden and fairly high up. Being fairly
shy of humans, they always approach the nest from the fields to the rear
and I have never seen them in the garden proper so perhaps the other
nests will be fairly safe anyway. As you say, I'll just sit back and
enjoy.

Cheers,

[MikE ©ampbell]

"Paul Giverin" <***@giverin.co.uk> wrote in message news:***@10.0.0.3...
: In message <***@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>, Gill
: <***@halcrow.com> writes
: >well strictly speaking a magpie nest is protected as soon as it's being
: >built. You can knock it down if you are the land owner or have
: >premission from the land owner but only if you can meet the terms of a
: >general licence as described by DEFRA. Silly I know but there it is.
: >I personally like magpies, they are a lot of fun to watch espcially
: >with fledgelings in tow they have an amazing vocal range - apprently
: >can be taught to talk. Yes they probably will eat the nestlings of
: >some of the nests in you garden, but magpies have been doing this since
: >they evolved and the little birds manage to survive, there is a reason
: >smaller birds have lots of chicks and often two or three broods in a
: >season like your blackbird and thush. Perhaps put up some more wooden
: >nest boxes that the magpies can't get into? Otherwise enjoy the real-
: >life unedited wildlife documentary that occurs right under your nose in
: >your garden for your own private viewing!!
: >
:
: You are of course right. It's not for me to interfere.

Well don't ask if you are worrying about nothing then you fucking dickhead.

:The magpie nest
: is right at the bottom of the garden and fairly high up. Being fairly
: shy of humans, they always approach the nest from the fields to the rear
: and I have never seen them in the garden proper so perhaps the other
: nests will be fairly safe anyway. As you say, I'll just sit back and
: enjoy.
:
I hope the cunt kills all your birds.

[Terry Harper]

Post by Paul Giverin
You are of course right. It's not for me to interfere. The magpie nest
is right at the bottom of the garden and fairly high up. Being fairly
shy of humans, they always approach the nest from the fields to the rear
and I have never seen them in the garden proper so perhaps the other
nests will be fairly safe anyway. As you say, I'll just sit back and
enjoy.

We had one in a tree at the bottom of our garden 3 years ago, see
http://www.btinternet.com/~terry.harper/images/birds/nest.htm

They didn't seem to affect or interfere with the smaller birds any
more than usual.

[Mike Williams]

Post by Terry Harper

Post by Paul Giverin
You are of course right. It's not for me to interfere. The magpie nest
is right at the bottom of the garden and fairly high up. Being fairly
shy of humans, they always approach the nest from the fields to the rear
and I have never seen them in the garden proper so perhaps the other
nests will be fairly safe anyway. As you say, I'll just sit back and
enjoy.

We had one in a tree at the bottom of our garden 3 years ago, see
http://www.btinternet.com/~terry.harper/images/birds/nest.htm
They didn't seem to affect or interfere with the smaller birds any
more than usual.

There's a magpie nest in my parent's garden that's been in use for at
least the last six years. Once the magpies discover that there's a pair
of collared doves nesting deep inside an adjacent conifer, there are
regular battles. I guess it must be quite stressful for the doves, but
they always seem to manage to raise their chicks successfully and nest
in the same place again the next year.