"Reece" wrote in message
...
They are definitely Magpies, until I moved into this house I thought
the
same of Magpies, you never see a lot in close proximity. I have
witnessed
some fair old scraps as well as they must fight for territory.
The noise in the morning is deafening, they have a horrible rasping
chatter
as their call.

I still have my doubts. I have never heard of Magpies flocking.. Are
you sure they are not Jackdaws?
The behavious certainly sounds like that of Jackdaws.

What is the diagnostic feature by which do declare them to be magpies?

Franz