What's happened in the Eco-chain to cause the explosion in the number of Magpies in the last 10 years? When I was kid, you were told to 'Salute a Magpie', if you ever saw one, as they were supposed to bring bad luck. I think I only ever saw about 10 in as many years, but now, they're EVERYWHERE! Anyone got a theory, either serious or funny?
2006-08-09 02:34:56 · 7 answers · asked by lizzyloulou123 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Since World War II, magpie numbers have increased rapidly. Urban and suburban magpies increased much faster than rural populations.
In towns magpies are not persecuted; there is more food available. Magpies will nest close to people, which protects their nests from crows, and in towns they can breed earlier in the year because it is warmer than the surrounding countryside.
Urban magpies will use artificial nest sites and nest materials, and will take food from bird tables, sometimes storing it in man-made structures such as gutters and eaves.
Factors that normally limit magpie populations are lack of nesting territories and high mortality of young birds. In many areas which have been studied, the breeding population is stable but the non-breeding flocks are increasing.
Hope this helps??
2006-08-09 03:07:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was walking in the park near here a couple of years ago, down a long wide leafy path. On one side of the path were loads of magpies, more than I had ever seen before. On the other side, staring the magpies out were a huge bunch of squirrels (again, more than I'd ever seen in one place). I felt like I'd walked into some kind of gang warfare, LOL.
2006-08-09 09:40:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did they not become a protected species some time in the past 10/20 years i.e can't be shot by farmers etc? Their increase in that sort of timescale has indeed been phenomenal.
2006-08-09 10:05:04 · answer #3 · answered by d.perrot@btinternet.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Must be a sign that us geordies are going to win the FA cup this year hehe :)
2006-08-09 09:44:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anon-y-mouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah i cant figure this one out but i must see atleast 10-15 everday on my way to work
2006-08-09 09:38:46 · answer #5 · answered by andylegendoneill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shot guns at the ready!!!
2006-08-09 09:38:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always known them to be around.
2006-08-09 09:37:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋