Magnificent magpie deserves more respect

With reduced persecution from gamekeepers and park-keepers, magpies are now ubiquitous and jays are following close behind.

What’s more, they are both becoming far more tame and approachable than they used to be - their one-time nervousness was well justified!

Nevertheless, the magpie, that perennial thief of bright objects and the like is not everybody’s cup of tea; and one predated a juvenile starling in my garden – so I can see why.

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However, I always think that if magpies were rare then we would see them as spectacular, intelligent, and remarkable.

Familiarity breeds contempt and maybe they are a bit too clever for us.

I have several robins in the garden at present with the adults and recently-fledged youngsters, and I feed them on dried mealworms.

When I put the mealworms out I ‘call’ the robins with a noise made by pursing the lips and sucking; a ploy once used by poachers and others to attract rabbits, hares and predators.

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It works for birds like robins too as they come to investigate.

The idea with this is like Pavlov’s dog, the birds associate the noise with food.

Of course, the first one to the table is the magpie!

Professor Ian D. Rotherham, a researcher, writer and broadcaster on wildlife and

environmental issues, is contactable at [email protected]

Follow Ian’s Walk on the Wildside blog at ukeconet.org