Letter: Garden killers

Sir: Lucy Lawrence (Letter, 22 November) is right. Magpies hunt in groups of six or more hereabouts. Not only have bird boxes been broached and tits, robins and their fledglings eaten and blackbird nests similarly pillaged, but garden chairs have been torn into to remove stuffing and a tarred felt roof punctured in attempts to get at fledglings nesting under the eaves. They have multiplied remorselessly to harry and oust more welcome species, as well as damaging property. Who decides when a bird species no longer needs protection?

Dr JAMES HUTCHISON

Birmingham