Magpie proof Nest Box ?

[Adrian]

We had Blackbird's nesting in our hedge until the Magpie's raided the nest, killed the day old chick & ate the remaining egg (see enclosed attachments)

We were looking forward to watching the chick's grow & feed on the 'soaked' cat biscuits we put out daily for the Blackbird's...they are so tame...almost feeding from our hand's...

Does anyone have any idea's/plan's on how i can build a nest box for Blackbird's which is Magpie Proof...?

Thank's


Adrian

[paulsherwin]

Blackbirds won't usually nest in boxes. They like to build nests in hedges or thick ivy.

Predation is a natural process. If you attract birds to your garden and provide nesting sites you will lose some to predators, sometimes magpies bur mostly cats. I lost a nest of robin chicks to a cat last year - upsetting, but there's nothing you can do.

Blackbirds are usually very good at defending the nest from predators. My blackbirds are on their third brood now, and I've seen them mobbing the neighbour's cat in a very impressive way. They make a tremendous racket whenever there's a predator about. Inevitably they won't succeed every time though.

Some people make the mistake of chasing magpies away from their feed tables and gardens. This just makes them hungry and more likely to raid nests. Magpies will eat just about anything and will choose the easiest source of food available.

Paul

[Adrian]

Thank's for your advice Paul, i am aware that predation is a very natural process & that there is very little you can do about it, however, i was just hoping that someone might have an idea for a 'Magpie proof nestbox' which i could build and errect on the fence behind our conifer trees which may or may not attract the Blackbird's to nest in it...

We dont mind the Magpies eating some of the 3kg of 'soaked cat biscuit's' we put out each week for the Blackbird's...as its better than them raiding the song bird's nest's when they are hungry ...

This year i will allow our 7ft hedge to grow taller & thicker in the hope it will offer more protection for nesting Blackbird's next year...

but... if anyone has any idea's for a 'Magpie Proof Nestbox'..?