Magpie season swoops in
Springtime may herald new blooms and blossoms but for much of our native birdlife, it also signals the start of nesting season.
Magpies in particular can become more aggressive than usual as their new season young hatch.
However, surviving the magpie swooping season needn’t be a nightmare says Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Coordinator Natural Resource Projects Ian Perkins.
“Swooping is a natural behaviour for many of our native birds like plovers and magpies when springtime rolls around,” said Ian. “Like any protective parent, the birds are just trying to shield their young from perceived threats to the nest.”
And unfortunately, during nesting season the birds see us humans as threats.”
Nesting season takes place during spring with swooping attacks typically peaking during the month of September.
“September is also the month we field the most calls from residents,” said Ian. “Our advice is that the behaviour is only temporary and will cease once the chicks have ‘flown the nest’.
“In the interim we recommend a few simple tips to help avoid their airborne raids.”
These include:
- not deliberately provoking or harassing the birds,
- taking alternative routes where possible,
- looking out for warning signs or creating a temporary sign to warn others,
- keeping an eye on birds to discourage attack,
- wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or carrying an open umbrella for protection,
- if cycling get off your bike and walk through any magpie zones, and
- wearing a helmet, sunglasses and fitting a bright flag to your bike.
“But by far the best advice we can suggest is to avoid known hot-spots,” said Ian.
“Outside of the breeding season, magpies are friendly and welcome neighbours,” he continued.
“They help control pests in our gardens and their familiar iconic call is a much-loved sound of the Australian bush.”
Magpies are protected throughout NSW and it is an offence to kill the birds, collect their eggs or harm their young.
Birds considered a potential risk to public safety can be reported to Council on phone 4868 0888.
For more information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/magpies.