Vol. 554 No. 5
1448 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if magpies are protected; if there is evidence to the effect that the numbers of magpies are increasing; if this increase represents a threat to song birds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15397/02]
National and EU legislation, protects the magpie, in common with other wild birds. The magpie, pica pica, is widely distributed around Ireland and a 1988-91 survey of the species indicated that there are an estimated 320,000 breeding pairs in the country. There is no subsequent comprehensive data available to show whether there has been an increase in magpie numbers since then, 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 position is that the magpie is a predator like a number of bird species, for example, the sparrowhawk, and will eat the eggs and the young of other birds. However, scientific advice indicates that this presents no significant threat to the conservation status of other bird species. There are no estimates available for the impact, if any, of 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 eleven species of songbird provided no evidence that magpies had any effect on songbirds.
