Magpies will stop stealing from bird feeders if you place one simple object in the garden – Daily Express

Magpies are one of the most intelligent birds you will find in your garden, but they are also known to completely take over a bird feeder if you do not try to keep them away. Summer has been particularly dry in the UK, which means there might not be as many berries or insects around as there normally are, so it can be really helpful to feed birds.
The problem is that magpies are highly territorial, and once they discover a reliable food source, they may chase other birds away to keep it for themselves. They are also much bigger than most other British garden birds so attracting too many magpies could make your garden a less welcoming place for smaller species such as robins or goldfinches. However, Huck Nets UK, a bird-proofing manufacturer, have a very easy method known to deter magpies as all you need are a couple of old CDs.
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They said: “Magpies are startled by light reflections, and this can be an effective method in helping to keep them out of your garden. There are a couple of ways that you can do this. Firstly, old CDs are great at catching and reflecting light, so if you have any, hang them up around your garden at intervals.”
Hanging CDs or other shiny objects around a garden is known to keep larger birds like magpies away, as they often associate the sudden flashes of light with movement.
Magpies are likely to assume that the light is some sort of predator moving around, and will feel a lot less safe going into a garden to feed.
They also do not like unfamiliar objects in their territory, so their instinct will be to be cautious and keep a good distance away from them.
Since magpies are quite clever, they tend to notice unexpected things in their surroundings compared to other birds, so they can be scared off without it affecting any other animals.

It is one of the simplest methods to stop magpies dominating a birdfeeder so you can keep feeding birds without worrying about them being bullied out of the garden.
All you need to do hoop string around a CD and then place three to six of them around a birdfeeder. Space them out and hang them at different heights instead of clustering them together. Try to place them in open areas where the sun and wind can catch them.
Most people use CDs as a bird deterrent because they have them at home, but anything shiny can work, such as tin foil, pie dishes, or even bird tape if you are willing to spend money.
It should be noted that magpies might be able to work out that the CDs are harmless after some time has passed, as they are remarkably clever birds.
If you want CDs to be as effective as possible, then it can help to move them about the garden every few days, as it helps confuse the magpies to keep them away for longer.

It will also help to combine using CDs with some other bird deterrents as magpies are more likely to stay away for good if the food source is too much effort to reach.
You can also use bird netting, audio devices, or simply place a cage around a feeder so only small birds can reach it to ensure magpies stay away.
Magpies are also attracted to dirty gutters, so if they keep being a nuisance, it is worth cleaning them out to prevent them from returning.
Make sure your bins are also sealed and have a lid on them as any waste on the ground can also encourage magpies to nest nearby.
However, it is worth trying to use CDs first as they are the most straightforward way to keep magpies away to stop them bullying other birds out of your garden.
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Sunday, 30th August 2026
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