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Old 28-05-2017, 05:06 PM   #11
Jan W
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I had the same as Alan when the torts were in their little house and they worked well for taking off and easy access.

I'm now thinking if I should do this for their large enclosure, as I hadn't thought about putting a lid on. Now they are 9 do they still need protection from magpies?
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Old 29-05-2017, 11:19 PM   #12
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I had the same as Alan when the torts were in their little house and they worked well for taking off and easy access.

I'm now thinking if I should do this for their large enclosure, as I hadn't thought about putting a lid on. Now they are 9 do they still need protection from magpies?
I doubt it Jan, as long as it's high enough taking into account they will climb on top of each other or accidentally move stuff that will allow them to get up and over. Something round the top edge would stop them like a bit of wood to form a lip facing inwards
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Old 30-05-2017, 12:28 AM   #13
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I've seen a magpie sitting on top of a mesh cover looking greedily down at the tortoise underneath.

Magpies will eat small mammals and young rabbits.

Magpies are very intelligent birds who cooperate in a group in the hunt for food. Where I live they are patrolling all the time and looking down into gardens from tv ariels on the rooftops.
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Old 30-05-2017, 08:18 AM   #14
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Getting worried now... My little (not so little really) ones have free roam in part of the garden so can't really cover it. There are Magpies but I never thought they would be a problem... I did see one watching Amber once though...
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Old 30-05-2017, 12:07 PM   #15
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I may be overly paranoid on the magpies!
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Old 30-05-2017, 12:38 PM   #16
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I may be overly paranoid on the magpies!
I make sure I have lots of high points/plants in enclosures, as wider winged birds are then not able to easily land.
I also have a whirley pole and two bird feeders (large brids like MP can get to them) in my lawn, again wider winged birds not so easy for them to land.
Every little bit helps:0)
In my boxie enclosures I have two dwarf apple trees and lots of perennial plants so again they cant easily land.
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Old 01-06-2017, 03:36 PM   #17
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I may be overly paranoid on the magpies!
Magpies are a nightmare ! they even fight on the lawn and screeeeach like a banshee but I have not seen them bother with them, thought wouldn't trust with little ones as they see them as a snail - they will turn them over.......anyway very rare and there is a balance between being over cautious and they never roam or taking sensible precautions.

I like the whirly pole thing Sandy - is that the same as the beach windmills - I love them as they make a whirling noise too. (I can not believe I am talking about a plastic whirly windmill...!! I will never get that time back ...), CB
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Old 01-06-2017, 04:18 PM   #18
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Magpies are a nightmare ! they even fight on the lawn and screeeeach like a banshee but I have not seen them bother with them, thought wouldn't trust with little ones as they see them as a snail - they will turn them over.......anyway very rare and there is a balance between being over cautious and they never roam or taking sensible precautions.

I like the whirly pole thing Sandy - is that the same as the beach windmills - I love them as they make a whirling noise too. (I can not believe I am talking about a plastic whirly windmill...!! I will never get that time back ...), CB
No the whirly pole is for my washing:0)
Although I think the larger windmills might well keep birds away:0)
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Old 01-06-2017, 08:41 PM   #19
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Some really good ideas to think about.

We have hawks round here and the occasional buzzard.

I like the idea of planting up/plants/poles etc to reduce exposure.
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Old 01-06-2017, 09:01 PM   #20
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Agree they don't like confined spaces. The seagulls really don't like confined spaces and they do not venture into my garden at all but the MP's do.

On the other hand too much big stuff casts shade - maybe I need something like a lot of bean poles....keep magpies away but not casting shade! Who cares if it looks bonkers.
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