How to deter Magpies (1 Viewer)

I have lots of bird feeders, and I also feed three hedgehogs that visit my garden. The magpies (and a blackbird) have started eating the hedgehog food. I still put food out every night as one hedgehog feeds regularly, and a second one occasionally. It isn't practical for me to wait until dark before I put the food out, but the Magpies are emptying the food dish completely.

I know what is taking the food, as I have a garden video cam trained on the dishes, which I check each morning.

Does anyone have any ideas, other than waiting for darkness before I put the hedgehog feed out?

Maybe put a box with a cut out hole for hedgehogs over it? You could experiment with a cardboard one.

Thanks Simon. I did think about that and it's worth a try.

The upside is, I managed to get amusing videos of Magpies. They are quite funny in their own little ways and they do clear up their own food spills, unlike the hedgehogs.

Magpie Stay of there is lots of food and habitatb around.

Have a look at this