Councillor says magpies causing major concern in Clondalkin

By Maurice Garvey

SOUTH Dublin County Council has no responsibility in controlling the magpie population, which according to one local councillor, is resulting in attacks of family pets in Clondalkin.

Labour councillor Breda Bonner raised a question at the Clondalkin area meeting, saying “residents in Clondalkin have expressed concern to me at the ever-increasing magpie population in the area.”

Cllr Bonner said there have been “several attacks on family pets and instances of songbirds being killed by magpies” and asked the council if they have any role in controlling populations of bird species.

SDCC said they have “no responsibility in the control of species such as magpies” and advised the use of poison is “illegal in most cases” and not recommended, “particularly in suburban circumstances where children and other bird and mammal species can be affected.”

“Control measures are unlikely to be effective in the long-term, as new birds will quickly move in to replace those which have been removed,” said a council spokesperson.

SDCC said: “In recent years, magpie populations have been seen to rise in urban environments. Due to their scavenging nature, the urban environment provides abundant waste food litter to attract this species.

“While magpies are known to take the eggs and the young of other birds, this predation is normally restricted to a relatively short period of the year during their own breeding season.

“Detailed bird census work has shown no major decline in the populations of small birds that may be attributed to magpies. A fluctuation in the numbers of small birds is more usually seen with habitat change or severe winters.”

SDCC advise providing greater cover for smaller birds nests through the retention or planting of dense hedges, bushes and creepers – along with evergreens such as laurel, yew and ivy.