Around here (South Yorkshire) they normally repair nests in early April (later if we've still got snow), incubate for about 20 days, chicks fledge a month later but are fed by the parents in nearby trees for at least a month after that. So I think ours normally hush down late June / July.
Around here (South Yorkshire) they normally repair nests in early April (later if we've still got snow), incubate for about 20 days, chicks fledge a month later but are fed by the parents in nearby trees for at least a month after that. So I think ours normally hush down late June / July.
I think that by feeding them you have, unfortunately drawn them to you! I had to remove my bird feeders last year due to magpies, even when the food was gone, they began tormenting my poor cats, noisily chattering at them when they were in the big tree, and then jumping from branch to branch when the cat followed them, was amusing to watch, but that awful noise they make early in the morning used to wake me also. No sign of them this year, they've probably found birdfeeders in someone else's garden. I will put feeders up again come the Autumn, and keep fingers crossed I don't draw another pair!. Hope the ear plugs work for you.
I think you are right, they have lived int he conifers for many years, but since feeding the birds, they have become like this, they are behaving the same way to the neighbors cats. No more feeders out in my garden, even though i did love seeing the other birds and squirrels . The magpie's chase them all away from the food anyway!!
Can you fix some mesh around your feeders so only the smaller birds can get the food? Then the magpies might give up and leave you in peace. Look at the RSPB website, they have squirrel guards which might keep out your corvid companions.
Can you fix some mesh around your feeders so only the smaller birds can get the food? Then the magpies might give up and leave you in peace. Look at the RSPB website, they have squirrel guards which might keep out your corvid companions.
Much advice has been to get rid of the food completely, so i've already done that now. I actually did have feeders just for small birds but the magpie's would work on it until they got something to eat or got it to the ground.
Posts
Around here (South Yorkshire) they normally repair nests in early April (later if we've still got snow), incubate for about 20 days, chicks fledge a month later but are fed by the parents in nearby trees for at least a month after that. So I think ours normally hush down late June / July.
I don't think they have two broods.
Not long to wait for that then, hoping they calm down in Birmingham like they do in yorshire
Thanks for the info, its appreciated
I think you are right, they have lived int he conifers for many years, but since feeding the birds, they have become like this, they are behaving the same way to the neighbors cats. No more feeders out in my garden, even though i did love seeing the other birds and squirrels . The magpie's chase them all away from the food anyway!!
Thanks for your response,
Can you fix some mesh around your feeders so only the smaller birds can get the food? Then the magpies might give up and leave you in peace. Look at the RSPB website, they have squirrel guards which might keep out your corvid companions.
Don't forget if you see a magpie on his own, stop, salute, and say "Good morning Mr Magpie. How is your lady wife today?"
Much advice has been to get rid of the food completely, so i've already done that now. I actually did have feeders just for small birds but the magpie's would work on it until they got something to eat or got it to the ground.
Thanks