Vol. 535 No. 1
481 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will make figures available for the increase in the magpie population; if there are estimates available for the decline in other bird species as a consequence; the action she intends to take to deal with this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12062/01]
The magpie, pica pica, is widely distributed around Ireland and there are an estimated 320,000 breeding pairs in the country. All wild birds, including the magpie, are protected under the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended, and the EU Birds Directive 79/409 EEC. There are no figures available to show that there has been an increase in magpie numbers although the bird has been successful in adapting to urban life.
While there is a widely held perception that the magpie is a danger to other bird species, in particular songbirds, this is not supported by scientific evidence. The magpie is a predator like a number of bird species, e.g. the sparrowhawk, and will eat the eggs and the young of other birds but scientific advice is that this presents no significant threat to the conservation status of other bird species. There are no estimates available for the impact, if any, by magpie predation on other birds. However, a study in England concluded that an analysis of the trends in magpie numbers and in the numbers and breeding success for 11 species of songbird, provided no evidence that magpies had any effect on songbirds.
