Magpies :(

The magpies seem to be swooping earlier this year. Sunday morning I was swooped by three different magpies near Nelson Rd. Today swooped by another on Salisbury Highway. Does anyone have a good way to prevent being swooped?

Tags: magpies

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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on August 25, 2011 at 15:31

apparently eyes work well too - like the ones you can get at craft shops./

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Permalink Reply by Iordan Kostadinov on August 25, 2011 at 16:01

don't be fooled - video!

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Permalink Reply by heather on August 25, 2011 at 18:46

There is a person who rides Prospect Road with cable ties on his helmet. One day I asked him why.

The following might interest you, but no mention of cable ties.

Magpies go hormonal. Published in Prospect Indaily of 24-Aug-2011 on page 2. http://www.indaily.com.au/?iid=51939&sr=0#folio=002

Spring must be close when it’s magpie swooping season again.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has sent out a magpie alert to coincide with the breeding season when the birds become highly protective of their nests.

Magpies produce three to five eggs in early-to-mid August, and females sit on the eggs for about 20 days. The breeding season is normally over by the end of September.

Meantime, warns DENR animal welfare manager Deb Kelly, watch out.

“Generally magpies are not aggressive, and for most of the year they happily co-exist with people,” Kelly said in a statement.

“However, they will strongly defend their territory against other magpies, and they become very protective of their nests and young during the breeding season.

“Some magpies may swoop if people or animals move too close to their nests while chicks are present. The male magpies are responsible for most swooping.

“Swooping might seem frightening to us, however it’s an important part of the bird’s survival and reproductive strategy.

“Our advice to people during the forthcoming breeding season is to try to avoid nesting areas where possible, even by taking a detour from your normal path. Most magpies will only swoop within about 50m of their nest.”

Tips for surviving the magpie swooping season include:

-- Travel in groups where possible – swooping birds will generally only target individuals

-- Carry an open umbrella above your head

-- Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat

-- Cyclists should walk rather than ride their bikes through magpie territory – or have a flag on the back of the bike that’s higher than your head

-- Avoid acting aggressively (e.g. waving arms around or shouting at magpies) – this proves you are a threat

-- Walk, don’t run

-- Avoid making eye contact with magpies

-- If you know of an area that has swooping magpies. Put a sign up – often the surprise is more frightening than the swoop itself.

More information about swooping magpies is available on the DENR website: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Plants_and_Animals/Living_with_wil...

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Permalink Reply by Chris Adams on August 25, 2011 at 20:26

i got whacked on the head riding down seaview rd 2 days ago...going to be a busy bird!

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Permalink Reply by Martin Turner on August 25, 2011 at 20:45

I have a resident family of magpies at my place. One thing Ive noticed is they wont touch the round shaped puppy kibble...they only like the bone shapes.

To deter magpies I would try sticking round shaped puppy kibble all over your bike helmet.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on August 25, 2011 at 20:55

Add all the locations to the swoop map and send someone around to move them on one way or another. I probably sound a bit rednecked but saw a young girl nearly end up under a bus because of a magpie swoop on Golden Grove Road at Modbury a few years ago and I have absolutley no patience with them now.