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"What Can I Do"Latrobe City Council has issued its own warning to local residents to avoid being injured by territorial magpies, after receiving a number of recent reports of swooping attacks. By Latrobe City Council - 27th September 2005 - Back to News Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Bruce Lougheed, said Council had received several calls from residents across Latrobe following the recent incident at Moe’s Heritage Park, where a protective male magpie was witnessed to be swooping visitors.
"A number of residents have said that they do not feel safe walking, or riding bicycles through or past many local reserves throughout the municipality due to aggressive birds," Cr Lougheed said.
"Because the problem seems to be so widespread, Council believes it timely to suggest ways that citizens can avoid becoming magpie victims."
Latrobe City’s Manager Infrastructure, Michael Edgar, said the Department of Sustainability and Environment recommended a number of strategies residents could take during the nesting season.
"In order to protect themselves, residents should avoid the areas where magpies are populated if possible. The Department also recommends residents wear a hat, carry a stick or umbrella, or even draw a pair of eyes and attach it to the back of their hat or bicycle helmet, to deter the birds," Mr Edgar said.
"Like most creatures, magpies and other swooping birds instinctively protect their territory, particularly during breeding time. They are protecting their nests, eggs or young from potential intruders. Most birds will swoop within 30-50 metres of their nest. Their territory may include your backyard, the park across the road, or the local schoolyard. If they perceive you to be a potential threat, they may swoop. The likelihood of an attack is increased if they are teased or feel threatened in any way."
"Fortunately the aggressive behaviour is over a limited period of time, during their nesting and rearing period, and we can soon look forward to more harmonious relationships between bird and man," Mr Edgar said.
"Hopefully these suggestions will help to provide awareness and knowledge of magpies, and their instinctive, protective behaviour."
Residents seeking more information about swooping birds should contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Customer Service Centre, telephone 136 186, or visit www.nre.vic.gov.au.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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