Swooping season

24 March 2020 | Council News

We've put together some helpful tips to keep you safe this swooping season:

Stay alert and pay attention for any magpie and other birds’ (including Plovers and Butcher Birds) nesting sites.
Travel in groups where possible as the birds often target individuals.
Keep an ear open for their distinctive calls.
Wear sun glasses and a broad-brimmed hat or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies.
If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk.
If you spot a magpie nesting site, then stay well clear and even plan alternative routes.
Remember magpies are urban species too, so there is generally no escaping them.
If you sustain an injury or believe a bird is particularly dangerous, then inform Council
Do not provoke the magpies, they are very territorial and will protect their nests.
It is important to try to stay calm, if you panic and flap then this is more likely to appear as aggressive behaviour and provoke a further attack. Don’t fight back if a magpie swoops. Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie are likely to make it more aggressive next time anyone enters the defence zone around their nest.
Try to protect your eyes with your hands, those large beaks are very sharp and eye injuries have been previously recorded.
Magpies seem to have very good memories and have attacked the same people over subsequent seasons and others they just leave alone. If it's attacked you before probably a good idea to use an alternative route next season.