Pesky Magpie

[Brian Bishop]

G'Day All,
I'm having a little trouble with a tame magpie helping me with my bonsais by destroying the moss on some of my trees and tossing it on the ground.
Here's a few pics of how I've had to protect one particular tree from the pesky little buggar.
Has anyone else had similar problems with the local wildlife?
Cheerrs.............Brian

[Paul W]

They must be hungry, feed them something else more tasty, might be some grubs in your bonsai.

[Jason]

Could you hang something reflective from your lowest branches, like CD's or something? Might work?

[Gumnuts]

I have magpies that dig out the moss in my gutters.
So I dont want to stop them.

[PaulC]

Hi Brian,

I have had issues with Blackbirds in the past, digging up moss and generally being a nuisance.

I placed a few rubber snakes of various sizes about my pots and surrounding areas.

The results were immediate !

The Blackbirds not only stopped digging up the moss, but have totally vacated the area.

Down side is all other bird life have also left the area as well !!

Im not sure if it will have the desired effect from the Magpie, but its worth a try,

Oddly enough I havent spotted any Kookaburra as yet....that might put the rubber snakes to the test !

Regards,


Paul

[Brad75]

Hi Brian,

Any chance of seeing more photos of your collection? I need the inspiration.

Cheers,

Brad75 a.k.a. Brad Jackson.

[mountainman]

The magpies realise,that under moss, there are usually grubs,that's all they are looking for.Dinner.Try putting the plastic mesh bags that you usually get oranges in,around the trunk,as they can be attached easily. They don't bother after they have tried once, as the bag scares them, as it touches their beak.mountainman

[Guy]

I had that spider plant ground cover(first photo)--started as a small scale accent -looked really nice on the pot -quickly became endemic and a real nuisance---on removing it from several plants I found it was harbouring colonies of mealybug--after persistant weeding I'm finally rid of it

[Brian Bishop]

G'Day again fellas,
Thanks all for your replys.
Some good comments. Grubs could be the attraction, though in 32 years of bonsai I have never encountered grubs, only ants and they get a swift shift from an insecticidal drench. If there were any grubs present, they would have been skittled at the same time as the ants.
One suggestion I will invest in will be the rubber snakes ploy. It may also keep the bloody ducks out of the pool.
Brad75, in response to your request, I will post a few of my trees in a seperate post. Thanks for your interest.
Cheers..............Brian

[Brad75]

Hi Brian,

Thanks Brian!

Cheers,

Brad.