Magpies and smaller birds

Sat May 10 2014 - 01:03

Sir, – Am I alone in despairing of the ever-increasing number of magpies in the greater Dublin area and the consequent reduction in number of smaller garden birds, namely sparrows, finches and dunnocks?

The breeding season is upon us and so too is the yearly spectacle of these carnivorous magpies feasting themselves and their young with the defenceless nestling chicks of smaller garden birds. Let’s bring back the bounty on magpies. – Yours, etc,