FabSwingers.com forum: Damn magpies

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Killed a blackbird chick in my garden yesterday, ill admit i spent a large chunk of the day on magpie watch trying to give the last chick a chance...and then this morning i find the last of the chicks being killed by a magpie!

Now i know people will say its just nature and not to interfere...but perhaps its nature that put me in the place to try and help...ok, unsuccessfully this time...but any advice for the next nesting time will be great...i dont really want to get my air rifle out...as that's one life for another...i wouldn't be so annoyed if the magpie actually ate it or took it to its own nest! But it just kills and leaves!

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By *entileschiWoman
over a year ago

Norwich

Put out some jewels and the magpie will be distracted by the bling.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

I'm a let nature take its course type of person. Short of killing the magpies I don't think there's much else you can do

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I like nature and wildlife but wasnt aware that magpies did this. That being said they are of the crow / raven family who are carrion eaters so i'm surprised they dont kill to eat.

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By *uzukiNo1Woman
over a year ago

Rhyl

Leave them to it, it's nature.....you wouldn't jump in on a lion kill would you....it happens for a reason..

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By *ooliganMan
over a year ago

Preston

Nature red in tooth and claw...

A large number of corvids and raptors is a sign of a healthy 'prey' bird population. Just let them crack on.

A friend of mine had a sparrowhawk kept leaving dead pigeons on his lawn so he'd put them in the wheelie-bin. I pointed out that the hawk would just have to kill another and he should leave the pigeons in place...

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By *orthyorkypairCouple
over a year ago

North Yorkshire

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

A large number of corvids and raptors is a sign of a healthy 'prey' bird population. Just let them crack on.

NOOOOOOOO put them in the bin to encourage the sparrowhawk to kill more!!!! fecking roof rats thats what pigeons are lol

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By *ooliganMan
over a year ago

Preston

"NOOOOOOOO put them in the bin to encourage the sparrowhawk to kill more!!!! fecking roof rats thats what pigeons are lol

But when the pigeons are gone, they'll start on the collared doves and songbirds...

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By *arlo82Couple
over a year ago

the gym and random places

I saw 4 magpies this morning.... unsure if boy refers to child or meeting a male who wants me... can you tailor it?.

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By *arlo82Couple
over a year ago

the gym and random places

But in relation OP.... i would let nature take its course as cruel as it is

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I saw a vile video last week of a magpie killing a small rabbit while some wanker just stood there and filmed it.

I don't care if it's nature, they're a pest and that rabbit suffered while it was slowly being stabbed to death

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

A large number of corvids and raptors is a sign of a healthy 'prey' bird population. Just let them crack on.

NOOOOOOOO put them in the bin to encourage the sparrowhawk to kill more!!!! fecking roof rats thats what pigeons are lol

You do realise all pigeons are not city / towm centre dwellers dont You? This idea of rats on wings isnt that accurate.

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By *uzukiNo1Woman
over a year ago

Rhyl

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

A large number of corvids and raptors is a sign of a healthy 'prey' bird population. Just let them crack on.

NOOOOOOOO put them in the bin to encourage the sparrowhawk to kill more!!!! fecking roof rats thats what pigeons are lol

You do realise all pigeons are not city / towm centre dwellers dont You? This idea of rats on wings isnt that accurate."

Sorry but pigeons are classed as vermin, I kill vermin for a living ergo Im licensed kill pigeons...humanly of course

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By *orthyorkypairCouple
over a year ago

North Yorkshire

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

A large number of corvids and raptors is a sign of a healthy 'prey' bird population. Just let them crack on.

NOOOOOOOO put them in the bin to encourage the sparrowhawk to kill more!!!! fecking roof rats thats what pigeons are lol

You do realise all pigeons are not city / towm centre dwellers dont You? This idea of rats on wings isnt that accurate."

as a country dweller i probably know more about wild life than many on here and pigeons are just as big a pest in the countryside as in towns id not more so but if you look i did type LOL.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Stick a Sunderland Shirt on your washing line any self respecting Magpie wont come anywhere near

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By *ooliganMan
over a year ago

Preston

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

Sorry but pigeons are classed as vermin, I kill vermin for a living ergo Im licensed kill pigeons...humanly of course

Magpies are classed as vermin, but so are starlings. The urban pigeon is just a "rock pigeon" that has adapted to an urban environment. They're a wild native species.

You've sometimes got to look at the bigger picture, native predators tend to find a natural balance - they just tend to be a bit more noticeable to us so we have a tendency to think they're a bigger problem than they are...

If you remove magpies, sparrowhawks will proliferate simply because they're protected by law. I think it's best to just let them be.

Non-native predators are a different story though. Cats should be outlawed!

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By *orthyorkypairCouple
over a year ago

North Yorkshire

"Stick a Sunderland Shirt on your washing line any self respecting Magpie wont come anywhere near

ohhhh mackem hater lol mind your right!!!!

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By *uzukiNo1Woman
over a year ago

Rhyl

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

Sorry but pigeons are classed as vermin, I kill vermin for a living ergo Im licensed kill pigeons...humanly of course

Magpies are classed as vermin, but so are starlings. The urban pigeon is just a "rock pigeon" that has adapted to an urban environment. They're a wild native species.

If you remove magpies, sparrowhawks will proliferate simply because they're protected by law. I think it's best to just let them be.

Non-native predators are a different story though. Cats should be outlawed!"

Ive never been called out for any other bird other than pigeons...they do the most damage and flying rats is not an accurate discription for them as rats are really clean believe it or not... pigeons are and do live in filth and carry alsorts of pests....

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By *ooliganMan
over a year ago

Preston

"Ive never been called out for any other bird other than pigeons...they do the most damage and flying rats is not an accurate discription for them as rats are really clean believe it or not... pigeons are and do live in filth and carry alsorts of pests...."

Pigeons' lifestyle is no more unclean than any other bird (have you ever opened a blue-tit's birdbox??)... And they don't carry any more pests than any other bird.

They are just a victim of their intellect - they've adapted to coexist with man and exploit our environments, and they can become a nuisance.

But this can be said of many bird species to a lesser extent. If herons weren't protected, I know many people who would happily shoot them for steeling koi carp from garden ponds.

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By *evil_u_knowMan
over a year ago

city

Nearly everyone who says let nature take its course would be pro abortion etc.

You're a part of nature, if you feel like rescuing or saving the animal do so. We are not the only animal that will save/rescue others.

Famous example are elephants and dolphins, both known to save humans when its in their capability to do so. You wouldnt punch the dolphin in the nose and be like "FUCK OFF, LET NATURE DROWN ME"

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By *uzukiNo1Woman
over a year ago

Rhyl

Pigeons' lifestyle is no more unclean than any other bird (have you ever opened a blue-tit's birdbox??)... And they don't carry any more pests than any other bird.

They are just a victim of their intellect - they've adapted to coexist with man and exploit our environments, and they can become a nuisance.

But this can be said of many bird species to a lesser extent. If herons weren't protected, I know many people who would happily shoot them for steeling koi carp from garden ponds."

Well when I'm called out to kill the latter I'll carry on with pigeons

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 23/04/19 13:33:50]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nearly everyone who says let nature take its course would be pro abortion etc.

You're a part of nature, if you feel like rescuing or saving the animal do so. We are not the only animal that will save/rescue others.

Famous example are elephants and dolphins, both known to save humans when its in their capability to do so. You wouldnt punch the dolphin in the nose and be like "FUCK OFF, LET NATURE DROWN ME""

I suspect that more humans are killed than saved by dolphins and elephants, just the media portrayal is more into survivors.

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By *innie The MinxWoman
over a year ago

Under the Duvet

Beautiful birds, magpies, and very intelligent.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Nearly everyone who says let nature take its course would be pro abortion etc.

You're a part of nature, if you feel like rescuing or saving the animal do so. We are not the only animal that will save/rescue others.

Famous example are elephants and dolphins, both known to save humans when its in their capability to do so. You wouldnt punch the dolphin in the nose and be like "FUCK OFF, LET NATURE DROWN ME""

Not really understanding your link between letting nature take its course and pro abortion.

Say the op saves the chick, what next? The parent would be unlikely to accept it back into the nest and he wouldn't be able to rear it himself.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Beautiful birds, magpies, and very intelligent.

They are. Their colours are gorgeous. We usually have two pairs in the garden.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks for the tips folks, i will try the bling scare tactic...

The other point is...it may be "natures way" but fate has placed me in a situation to try and help, so perhaps its natures way if i do interfere further.... after all, we are inhabitants the same as other wild life?

I couldn't shoot the magpie...not because im a bad shot! Just haven't the heart...

Hmm... perhaps i should just cut down the trees and concrete the garden

but you guessed it... couldn't cut the damn tree down! I Must be a reincarnated hippy!

Thanks for all your input... now you can go back to the usual debauchery

Thanks! X

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Thanks for the tips folks, i will try the bling scare tactic...

I couldn't shoot the magpie...not because im a bad shot! Just haven't the heart...

Hmm... perhaps i should just cut down the trees and concrete the garden

but you guessed it... couldn't cut the damn tree down! I Must be a reincarnated hippy!

Thanks for all your input... now you can go back to the usual debauchery

Thanks! X"

Fate may have placed you in the situation but it hasn't given you the tools to help. Sometimes all we can do is stand by and watch. We kept ducks at one time and an entire brood of mallard ducklings were drowned by the bigger Aylesburys we solved that by relocating the Aylesburys. Seagulls killed all the mallards on the pond near us one year but left the Canada geese goslings alone because the geese were more protective parents.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nature red in tooth and claw...

Sorry but pigeons are classed as vermin, I kill vermin for a living ergo Im licensed kill pigeons...humanly of course

Magpies are classed as vermin, but so are starlings. The urban pigeon is just a "rock pigeon" that has adapted to an urban environment. They're a wild native species.

If you remove magpies, sparrowhawks will proliferate simply because they're protected by law. I think it's best to just let them be.

Non-native predators are a different story though. Cats should be outlawed!"

I agree with statement regarding cats too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Nearly everyone who says let nature take its course would be pro abortion etc.

You're a part of nature, if you feel like rescuing or saving the animal do so. We are not the only animal that will save/rescue others.

Famous example are elephants and dolphins, both known to save humans when its in their capability to do so. You wouldnt punch the dolphin in the nose and be like "FUCK OFF, LET NATURE DROWN ME"

Not really understanding your link between letting nature take its course and pro abortion.

Say the op saves the chick, what next? The parent would be unlikely to accept it back into the nest and he wouldn't be able to rear it himself. "

I may not directly agree but i certainly see his point

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By *ooliganMan
over a year ago

Preston

You've got to be pragmatic when it comes to the moral debate. If you chase a predator away, the prey might already be mortally injured. It would be far better to let the predator have its meal - it will only go and kill something else.

As far as our own position in this goes, I reckon that's a right can of worms... What is there to gain from interfering? Make yourself feel better? If so, it's a purely selfish motive and pretty illogical...

Why do you consider the "predator" to be the bad guy? Are we anthropomorphasising and assuming a predator is a bully? If so, how do we feel about bluetits who live almost exclusively on catapillars at this time of year... Do catapillars not deserve protecting?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hell no...Caterpillars don't need protecting..horrid little things.

My cat brings in big fat ones, I flushed the first one down the bog but I was scared to sit down for a piss in case it was still there and bit me on the bum. Now I pick them up with a shovel and catapult them back into next doors garden where the cat gets them from.

I like Magpies they are my favourite bird, I wouldn't like one in my garden killing other birds though. Have you thought of making a scarecrow to scare them off? I look like one myself so you could model it on me.

(Mrs A)

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By *ilth500Man
over a year ago

Merseyside

"Beautiful birds, magpies, and very intelligent.

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By *upremexMan
over a year ago

liverpool. huyton. near yewtree

In my back garden I see lots of magpies" they just cause havoc in the garden and wreck anything it sees. I have about 6 that are in my garden every morning just bouncing about like they own the place and up turning anything it can. No other bird gets a look in when they are about. It's one bird I dislike and would shoot the bloody thing. It even sits on the satelite dish trying to pull it apart the little shit.

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