Magpies plague: what to do?

Songbirds are welcome guests in the garden, but not every bird is welcome. There are birds of prey that can be dangerous for the songbirds in the garden and cause a lot of damage. One of these birds is the magpie. The black and white birds are sometimes referred to as thieving because they steal shiny objects that they bunker in their nests. However, there are some ways to chase away the magpie plague again.

Magpies plague

If the black and white birds have chosen the garden as their home, this is not a good thing for every garden owner. Magpies plunder other birds' nests and like to devastate the garden. But how can one act against the magpie plague? In the following article we provide information on the legal provisions for hunting and catching magpies.

Legal situation

Before taking action against the animals, some legal questions must be clarified, because even if the birds can become a plague, it is not allowed, for example, to kill them. Like all wild bird species, the magpie is also subject to the

Conservation laws. This means that it is forbidden to catch or hunt the animals. In addition, they are not allowed to actively drive away gardeners, for example by destroying their nests.

The protective provisions apply from the rearing of the young up to and including the winter. That makes it a challenge to actually master a magpie plague in the garden. In some federal states, however, there are exceptional provisions that rarely apply to private individuals, but mostly to hunters. You can then take active action against the animals, especially if they occur locally in large numbers.

Note: Anyone who takes action against the magpies as a private person may risk fines that can amount to several thousand euros.

Drive away magpies

Even if no active action against a magpie plague is allowed, the garden can indirectly be designed in such a way that it does not appear inviting for the animals. Basically, the Animals in the garden however, this is not a problem as long as they are not intrusive towards people or pets. In many cases, with a few copies there is one peaceful coexistence possible. Only when there are really incidents with the animals should something be done.

Garden owners have these legal options:

• Create habitats for natural enemies such as hawks, martens and crows
• Pets like dogs or cats are also enemies
• Simulate the presence of natural enemies (set up dummies, play sounds)

One possibility is to inform the local hunter about a budding magpie plague. If there is an exemption, hunters can take action against the animals.

Prevent magpies

So that the animals do not even leave the garden will be expelledn must, should be prevented. So the magpies don't even head for the garden. Gardens are not in themselves preferred habitats for birds of prey, their dwindling areas of retreat force them However, to often venture into areas where they are not particularly welcome, such as in Gardens.

Note: Especially in areas with intensive agriculture, where there are hardly any hedges as a retreat, the birds appear in larger groups and look for living space close to the people.

However, so that the garden does not appear inviting to you, the following measures should be taken:

• Do not leave leftover food open in the garden
• Always cover leftover food on the compost
• Close rubbish bins and bins well and weigh down the lid if necessary
• Protect beds with nets if necessary
• Cover fresh seeds well
• Protect bird feeders
• Immediately remove food residues from other animals

Protect small birds

The preferred food source of magpies includes songbirds or their brood. They catch and hunt the animals and especially spaces that are very open are very suitable for the larger birds of prey. Small birds can therefore be actively protected by offering them safe spaces. Dense hedges, for example, are ideal for this, in which it is difficult for a magpie to move, but the small songbirds are much more agile.

Hedges with thorns in particular offer good opportunities for the small songbirds to hide from the magpies. Although it is not allowed to hunt or drive the magpie, you can actively protect other birds in the garden. Nesting boxes for small birds are also an important component in protecting them from a plague. When designing the nesting boxes, it is important that they are not only hung in protected places, but also that they only have small entry holes. This prevents a larger bird of prey such as the magpie from reaching the nest of songbirds.