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Don’T Let Swooping Birds Leave You In A Flap – Mark Them On The Map

Magpies and other swooping birds are in territorial mode as the swooping season gets underway.

By Latrobe City Shire - 10th September 2010 - Back to News

The Department of Sustainability and Environment has introduced the ‘Victorian magpie map’ on its website to help residents in Latrobe City identify local swooping hotspots.

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan, said that whilst swooping birds can seem aggressive, they are only protecting their nests, eggs or young.

"It can be a real shock for people to encounter a swooping bird, particularly young children. The most important strategy to deal with a swooping bird defending its nest is to keep as far away as possible, until the young birds have left the nest.

"Exchanging local knowledge about current swooping hotspots is a key tactic in avoiding swoop attacks and taking extra precautions when around the area," Cr O’Callaghan said.

This year, the DSE have developed the ‘Victorian Magpie Map’ and are advising Victorians who are swooped by any species of bird to report the incident, so that they can update the community on some of the swooping hotspots throughout Victoria.

Residents can contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on telephone 138 186, or via email on swoopvic.vic.gov.au to submit a swooping hotspot to the Magpie Map.

Some of the top tips to reduce the risk posed by swooping birds include:

• Wearing a hat or bike helmet to protect your head;

· Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes;

· If you ride a bike, attaching long cable ties protruding from the top of your helmet;

· Putting up an umbrella while crossing the swooping area; and

• Dismounting your bike walking past the immediate area.

Cr O’Callaghan said that she encouraged Latrobe City residents to visit the DSE website to download the ‘Swoop off’ kit.

"It contains top tips to protect yourself against swooping birds and printable images of eyes which can be attached to the back of a hat or bike helmets. Some of these strategies may not work against some birds but they may be useful when avoidance of the area is not possible.

"Above all, be tolerant and do not scare or attack the bird. It is illegal to harm native wildlife and an aggressive response can make the swooping behaviour worse," Cr O’Callaghan concluded.

For more information or to download a ‘Swoop Off’ kit go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/swoop

Media Enquiries:

Vicky Daddo, Media Relations Officer

Telephone: 5128 5346 or 5126 5458 or 0407 862 977

Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations

Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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