THEY’RE black, white and dreaded all over: magpie swooping season has arrived
and authorities have issued a warning to runners, dog walkers and
cyclists.
The native bird, protected species and common football mascot will
become increasingly aggresive, as its breeding season begins and continues
through to October.
Australian Veterinary Association’s avian special
interest group president Dr Kimberley Earl said magpies were highly protective
of their eggs, nest and young and would often swoop at unsuspecting passers-by
if they felt threatened.
“Tolerance is the best policy,” she said.
“We
need to appreciate that some magpies will defend their territory from intruders
because of a natural instinct to protect their offspring.
“Fast moving
objects such as people on bikes and anyone who moves towards their nests are
perceived as threats and are likely to be swooped on.”
She said other
swooping suspects at this time of year included native butcherbirds, kookaburras
and plovers, and some invasive species such as Indian mynas.
Bikes and Trikes
owner Steve Beams said high rates of malicious magpie activity had been reported
near Swan Hill Police Station, Murraydale Road and Swan Hill North Primary
School among cyclists.
And he had a simple piece of advice.
“Ride faster,”
he laughed.
“Just avoid those areas, and hope for the best.”
Mr Beams said
the first form of defence for cyclists was eye protection.
“More so,
concentrate on where you are going — a lot of people look at the magpie and
that’s when you start falling off.”
He said there were a multitude of
‘proven’ defences to attach to a helmet, including fake eyes and nylon cable
ties.
“Some people swear by them, but some are old wives’ tales. If it works
for you, that’s good.”
Swoop victims can alert others at the Department of
Sustainability and Environment’s ‘Magpie Map’ available at their website.
So
far only one incident has been reported to the Swan Hill district’s official
‘Magpie Map’: a double swooping involving two Magpies in Nyah West last week.
