Magpies: not wanted!

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06-10-2012, 07:43 AM

#11

Georgiegirl2012

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Join Date: May 2012

Location: Cwmbran, Wales, UK

Posts: 43

There are loads of magpies where I live, and I've yet been able to get a halfway decent picture of one. I can stand in the kitchen doorway and watch one, but as soon as I lift a camera they fly away. Apparently they don't like flashy things(light reflecting from the lens)so maybe the CDs will work.

06-10-2012, 07:57 AM

#12

SewExtremeSeams

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Join Date: May 2009

Posts: 7,741

Quote:

Originally Posted by barri1

What are magpies?

They are a beautiful bird. However, they are persistent, thieves and SMART!

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06-10-2012, 08:00 AM

#13

Tartan

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Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Ontario, Canada

Posts: 41,463

If you want any fruit off your trees, the best solution is fruit tree nets. Not practical if you have an orchard but if it's just one tree, then it's the best solution.

06-10-2012, 08:01 AM

#14

SewExtremeSeams

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois-nounoe

I never thought of old CDs!!! I hang the little tart trays in my peach trees to keep the birds out of them! The CDs are about the same size and a LOT sturdier!!

It's very blustery, windy here today. This morning i can see that the CDs DH hung yesterday have been relocated into the trees. But, with the wind they are twisting and turning and reflecting lights in all directions. I have seen the magpies fly by but not land on the cherry tree right out my window.

Your mention of the little tart trays reminded me of the aluminum pie plates I have in the cupboard. Maybe we will add some of those to our fruit trees. The CDs seem to reflecting a lot of light though.

06-10-2012, 08:03 AM

#15

SewExtremeSeams

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodster

Do you think one of the fake owls would scare them? They have them at Lowe's..

We have one fake owl and it was seeming to scare off the birds from our grapes but DH put it in the barn to keep them off the boat canvas.

The barn keeps the boat out of the weather but not free of bird dung!

06-10-2012, 08:26 AM

#16

SewExtremeSeams

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tartan

If you want any fruit off your trees, the best solution is fruit tree nets. Not practical if you have an orchard but if it's just one tree, then it's the best solution.

Yes, I think nets would be a good idea. We don't have an orchard but we do have a lot of fruit trees. We are going to look into that.

We had racoons who feasted on our grapes last year

and wind that knocked off all of our asian pears. It is hard to get our fruit to 'our' table.

06-10-2012, 08:49 AM

#17

drgranny

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Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: slaton, texas

Posts: 752

NO. We have one of those to scare away grackles and other birds. Doesn't work.

06-10-2012, 08:53 AM

#18

Linda - K.

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Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: Washington State summer, Sun City AZ winter

Posts: 701

Quote:

Originally Posted by SewExtremeSeams

They are a beautiful bird. However, they are persistent, thieves and SMART!

Thanks for the pic. I've seen them driving over to Spokane and wondered what they were. They are pretty. I don't recall seeing any of them on this side of the moutains. I have a small orchard but gave up trying to get fruit with all the bugs, birds, racoons, squirrels, deer, you name it!, getting there first. Now I just enjoy the blooms in the spring.