Magpie Mansion HELP!

[Jason Green]

Do they seem to be bothering customers, do they know there is a nest there?

As for the Starling, that could just as easily have been a Carrion Crow I'd have thought, or other reason. How frequently is the male visiting?

[bluemink]

Larsen trap mate had loads of the barstools in mine

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by bluemink

Larsen trap mate had loads of the barstools in mine

I think he wanted non lethal deterence - as he knows where and when to find this bird if he wanted to kill it an air rifle after hours would do the job, a larsen trap is hardly feasible at a garden centre.

[muldonach]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I think he wanted non lethal deterence - as he knows where and when to find this bird if he wanted to kill it an air rifle after hours would do the job, a larsen trap is hardly feasible at a garden centre.

hmmmm . while not naturally predisposed to protectin magpies I wonder if the OP could possibly consider either trapping and local relocation away from the "danger area" or temporary enclosure of the pair with the resultant burden of artificial feeding - which would avoid upsetting customers sensibilities as far as partially eaten prey lying around the shop goes.

Not nearly so easy as popping the hen off and binning the nest but sounds like that is not the preferred option.

Would need to be well thought out as regards safety of younger customers in particular and could possibly fall foul of the law - it is legal to kill the bird and destroy the nest but is it legal to trap and enclose them till the young are fledged and ready to leave??

cheers
mac