I apologize for any confusion. I did not mean to advocate for the use of energy-intensive sprinklers as a primary method of deterring magpies. Rather, I was suggesting the use of motion-activated sprinklers as a possible option for scaring magpies away from a specific area, such as a bird feeder or nesting site. These sprinklers are designed to conserve water and energy by only activating when they detect movement.

However, as you pointed out, using a sprinkler may not be the most environmentally-friendly option. There are other non-harmful methods, such as using reflective surfaces or netting, that may be more sustainable and effective for deterring magpies.