How do I trap magpies?

There are a number of options available and much depends on your particular circumstance and on who you talk to. That said, I have found in practice that the best and most commonly used trap is a larsen trap.

They come in various shapes and sizes but are essentially portable cage-traps which have a closed compartment for confining a live decoy bird and one or more spring or gravity activated trap-doors which are either top or side mounted.

Larsen traps will catch all corvid pest species (ie. crows, magpies, jackdaws, jays, rooks) at all times of the year, but their particular value is in catching crows and magpies when they set up their breeding territories.

Set your trap close to where you see signs of the resident birds nest building activities and where possible, place it in view of sentinels. Nesting normally starts in early March, so this would be a good time to try.

If you have difficulty with wary birds avoiding or skipping around your trap, consider using a larsen mate trap, either in isolation or in conjunction with your Larsen trap. 

The introduction of a decoy or call bird into your trap will make trapping more effective. Try placing eggs or other bait (Some restrictions on legal bait apply) in the trap to catch your first bird, then use it as the decoy.

The terms and conditions covering the use of these types of traps is covered by the general licences issued annually by the government agency for the UK country you are operating in.

If you have any specific questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below.

Other useful documents:

BASC code of practice “Trapping Pest Birds” on the BASC website  www.basc.org.uk or direct link http://basc.org.uk/cop/trapping-pest-birds/