Magpies

[Jemisa]

We've got a couple of pairs of Magpies living v/close, the noise they make is unbelievable and (you won't believe this) my cat is terrified of them. They tease her, they swoop down and almost cackle at her. Sometimes they surround her if she's sitting in the garden.
They are pests. My brother tells me because of the damage they do they are the only birds you are allowed to shoot legally, (not that I would I've only got a water pistol) but this surprised me, is it true does any one know.
Meanwhile my poor cat is v/apprehensive about going out.

jem

[Barmaid]

They DO make a racket! However, not sure about them being the only birds you are allowed to shoot legally. Pheasants, partridges, grouse etc are all allowed to be shot. Pigeons too - rats with wings as my father calls them - although clearly not the racing pigeons!!!!

[Buenchico]

Many people dislike magpies because they're incredibly aggressive (but generally towards other birds, rather than to moggies!). However I love them; they're absolutely beautiful and only kill other birds for food (and not just for 'fun'). So I'm certainly not going to encourage you to do anything against them! But you wanted to know the law, so here it is:
http://www.rspb.org.u...s/magpies/thelaw.aspx

Chris

[RATTER15]

You can kill magpies by pretty much any method including the Larson spring trap, and corvid capture is I believe the only creature in this country you can actually use a live specimen as bait, you do need a just reason to kill them generally speaking.

[snags]

''you can actually use a live specimen as bait''

A cat perhaps...

[20SilkCut]

Oh no, please dont kill the magpies - they mate for life you know. I agree with Chris, they are beautiful birds, and i love the sound they make.
I'm sorry that they make your cat nervous, but that's no reason to kill them....
Use a water pistol to squirt water at them, clap your hands to make them fly off....but no murders please! :-)

[puternut]

Are they just protecting young???

[askyourgran]

I really hate magpies they wait around until the young birds are hatched and then go in and kill them, every year the blackbirds lose their young. I was really pleased when some jackdaws decided to nest nearby. They raided the magpie nests and took their young.
My cat was sashaying along a wall and a magpie was walking behind it copying the cat ! Cheeky b;eedder. Hate them.

[20SilkCut]

They never bother my cat at all.....he's a big toughie tho....he chased a border collie down the street....lol

[Jemisa]

Well it seems my bro was right, I am the land owner here and they are worrying my livestock (my cat) so first thing in the morning I will load my water-pistol and give 'em a blast. And yes ayg they are cruel birds, they may mate for life but that doesn't get em off the hook. Yes they are beautiful birds too I agree, but I'd truly like to see the back of em. They are new here this year soo perhaps they'll get the message and bu**er off next year.
jem.

[mrs.chappie]

Jem, I used to feed a very timid stray cat. Two magpies used to jump on her tail and pull it as she ate her food. She was scared of them and used to leave the food for them. It was upsetting to watch, yet also fascinating in a strange way.

[Buenchico]

Be careful if you're relying on your cat being considered as 'livestock', Jemisa.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (which my previous link refers to) doesn't seem to offer a statutory definition of 'livestock' but it's likely that a court would rule that the definition offered by the Animals Act 1971 applies. That states the following:
“Livestock” means cattle, horses, ***, mules, hinnies, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry, and also deer not in the wild state and . . .also, while in captivity, pheasants, partridges and grouse.

So no moggies there then!

Chris

[Buenchico]

Oooh!

I see that AB's automated censorship system doesn't like a perfectly legitimate equine reference! The asterisks in my post, above, have replaced the word '@sses' ;-)

[wolf63]

But does that piece of legislation cover water pistols?

[Jemisa]

Chris, Don't take me too seriously, I don't think we'll be going to court over it.
Mrs Chappie I agree its facinating to watch BIRDS get the better of a cat but she's out numbered they worry her in a bunch. If there was just one I'm sure she'd have it....

jem

[mrs.chappie]

Jem, strangely enough it wasn't just the magpies she was afraid of. She was so timid, any birds near her would scare her off her food. I used to have to sit on the garden with her while she ate.

She was the most gentle cat. I still miss her a lot. [:o(

[Answerprancer]

I always thought that cats were considered just as destructive to wildlife.
AFAIC I love both of them and they should both just be worked around - I llove cats, love magpies, love foxes and what's more I love what people refer to as "weeds" (I call them indiginous plants) all are welcome in my back garden.
So :p' ! (big fat wet raspberry)

[mrs.chappie]

That's something else about my lovely stray puss. She wouldn't kill anything. That's what usually puts me off cats - I hate it when they kill birds and just leave them on the garden. Different if they are killing them to eat them, I suppose.

[LoftyLottie]

Mr LL used to have a pet Magpie who lived with the cats and shared their bowl. Beautiful, intelligent birds. I know they take young birds and eggs, that is their way of surviving and feeding their young and is totally natural. Let nature be.

If the water pistol doesn't work jem, just adopt the magpies ;o)

[Jemisa]

Grovel, - Thats Fabulous. Can I borrow it? I'll pay for the petrol. tee-hee!