Increasing magpie population in for big surprise
Landowner Roger Murray: “I didn’t know the birds were that stupid.” Photo: Ken Wright
Magpies have been self-introducing from the Motueka River valley and Tasman District Council biosecurity officer Ken Wright is adamant that we don't need another pest in the Bay.
Mr Wright has brought a new multicatch magpie trap to the Takaka Valley.
"We don't want to see them establish themselves in Golden Bay, as it has been shown that they inhibit our native birds with their aggressive behaviour. The new trap can catch four magpies at a time. The catch tally so far has been three from Upper Takaka and two from East Takaka," said Mr Wright. "One of the birds caught was this year's chick, indicating that there are viable breeding populations in the Takaka valley."
Landowner Roger Murray discovered the birds, and he and Dean Wyllie, his Upper Takaka neighbour, caught some quite easily.
"I didn't know the birds were that stupid. They give the impression of being quite crafty and intelligent. The trap obviously works very well. It has a Mickey Mouse roost in the middle that holds open the hinges and breaks when the bird sits on it so they fall into the cage. They use a calling bird that is already sitting the cage to attract the others. The magpies are very territorial and come to give the other bird in the cage a hard time."
Mr Murray said it was important to be alert and keep magpies out of Golden Bay. "In England they are very destructive. Although these magpies here are from Australia, they are a threat to native birds. They're widespread in Canterbury and I think they are getting over the Hill more and more."
Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) are considered pests because they display aggressive territorial behaviour. The birds defend their territory by singing, aggressive posturing and fighting, attacking, displacing and occasionally killing other birds. Magpies have been observed swooping and dive-bombing native birds such as the kereru or tui, indicating attempts to access a key feeding site.
This territorial behaviour can also be a nuisance to local residents. Numerous reports have been collated from all over the country of magpies attacking children, cyclists, farmers and runners. These incidences increase during the breeding season from early July through summer, and the responsibility for control lies with all landowners and occupiers of property.
Magpies are black and white in colour, with a body length between 36-44cms. Their distinctive flute like call (quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle) is usually heard in the early morning or evening. They prefer open pasture areas with nearby tall trees for roosting and nesting. They are common around farmland, bush edges, gardens and in urban areas including schools, parks and airports.
Two species, the black-backed and the white-backed magpies, were introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s from Australia to control pastoral insect pests. Crossbreeding has occurred and they are now considered one species.
The trap is available by contacting Ken Wright through TDC.
Ina Holst
