Sainsbury’s Magpie – Perhaps Not As Trapped As It Seemed

Published on: 12 Jun, 2026
Updated on: 12 Jun, 2026

The Sainsbury’s Magpie – so far, impossible to catch and perhaps not “trapped” at all.

By Daisy Edwards

It seems to be ‘One for Joy’ for the solitary magpie in Godalming Sainsbury’s, now the subject of more publicity in national newspapers and the BBC.

A new update, given exclusively to The Dragon NEWS, indicates the bird might not be as trapped as it seemed.

A magpie was thought to have been stuck inside Godalming Sainsbury’s superstore for nearly two months, since April 19, with the community rallying to try and get the bird safely and humanely removed.

We previously reported that the superstore applied for a special licence to have the bird exterminated, but other reports say that the licence allows for the use of nets or traps to have it removed or even destroyed.

However, a reliable source now reports that it is now believed the bird is freely entering and exiting the stores at whim: “It’s not trapped,” said the uncorroborated source, “it’s been seen flying in and out but chooses to stay in because it’s learnt that there’s an endless supply of food.”

Magpies are part of the corvid family, known to be very intelligent, which has probably helped the bird be so elusive. All efforts to catch it have proved fruitless.

The UK is home to eight species of corvids (members of the crow family), including, as well as magpies, the carrion crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, hooded crows and choughs.

The bird has gained its own spoof Facebook account, which is steadily gaining popularity. At the time of writing “he” has 1,000 followers.