Magpie - 1949 status

Pica pica pica

Numerous resident except on barest islands, but visits Skomer.  Breeds in low bushes where there are no trees available. Mathew mentions a roost at Stone Hall.

R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society

Magpie - 2003-07

A familiar bird to most people, the magpie can be encountered throughout the county and in most habitats. Its large stick nest, with its protective canopy, is obvious in the early spring before trees acquire their covering of leaves. 

The 1984-88 survey was accompanied by a population estimate of 22,000 pairs. As stated at the time, this was an extrapolation from a very small sample, and with the benefit of hindsight led to an inflated value. The 1988-91 National Atlas  showed that Magpies reached maximum abundance in Pembrokeshire, it also quoted densities of over 20 pairs per tetrad in farmland and 40 pairs per tetrad in woodland and suburban habitats. Applying these densities to the geography of Pembrokeshire and the distribution plotted by the 2003-07 survey, results in an estimated county total of about 10,000 breeding pairs.

Graham Rees

Fieldwork 2003-07 (based on 490 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 305

Orange = breeding probable = 81

Yellow = breeding possible = 59

Total tetrads in which registered = 445 (90.8%)

Magpie - 1994

Breeding resident

The Magpie was a numerous resident according to both Mathew (1894) and Lockley et al. (1949). They were once persecuted in Pembrokeshire. Some idea of the scale can be gained from noting that 113 were killed on the Cawdor Estate at Stackpole in 1821 (Carmarthen County Records Office, Box 1-234) and by Lloyd's diary entry for 1930 where he noted 60 strung up on one gibbet at Slebech. Such draconian measures diminished after the war and Magpies increased. They may now have reached optimum numbers and are found breeding throughout the county, in exposed places nesting in low thorns and gorse,_,like those that have colonised Ramsey and Skomer.

The distance between nests was plotted in sample areas during 1987 and the results gave an average density of about 50 pairs per tetrad. Applying this to the results of the Breeding Birds Survey of 1984-1988 suggests a total population of 22,000 pairs. They habitually visit roads and verges to feed upon mammals, birds and insects knocked down by traffic, while each year many newly fledged Magpies also become casualties before they have learnt the art of avoiding approaching vehicles.

Lockley (1957) stated that winter roosts of 100 were common. In modern times 50-60 has been more normal, though up to 80 have been recorded at Goodwick and 112 at Plumstone.

Fieldwork 1984-88 (based on 478 tetrads) 

Red = breeding confirmed = 368

Orange = breeding probable = 26

Yellow = breeding possible = 53

Total tetrads in which registered = 447 (93.5%)

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire

Magpie - 1970s breeding

 

Red = breeding confirmed

Orange = breeding probable

Yellow = breeding possible

Magpie - 1980s winter atlas

The BTO winter atlas showed that Magpies were present in most 10km squares during the winters of 1981-82, 1982-82 and 1983-84.

The darker the colour, the higher the relative total count for each 10km square.  The darkest blue represents over 44 birds. Communal roosts were included in the plot.

Graham Rees

Magpie - 1894

Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"

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