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Living With Swooping Birds This Spring

With spring just around the corner, wildlife authorities are urging residents to take care as birds start swooping from trees in our parks and streets.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 21st August 2007 - Back to News

The Department of Sustainability and Environment asks people to be tolerant in spring each year as magpies, mudlarks, butcherbirds and masked lapwings (plovers) defend their nests and young.

DSE Regional Wildlife Manager, Charlie Franken said most birds were content to watch passers-by warily from their nests.

"The most high-profile swooping birds are magpies, and many people believe that all magpies will swoop them," he said.

"In fact, only a small proportion of magpies will swoop, and this is usually for a short period within the spring breeding season. Native birds have a right to co-exist with us and they add great value to our natural environment."

"Any parent will understand the urge to protect their young, and that’s exactly what these birds are doing," Mr Franken said.

"Most people, particularly those in regional Victoria, take seasonal swooping in their stride. And only in the most serious cases does DSE provide referrals for licensed contractors to relocate dangerous birds on behalf of councils, schools, businesses or residents on a user-pays basis," he said.

Native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is an offence to harass or destroy native birds or their eggs. Penalties apply for killing protected wildlife, including fines up to $5000 and six months' imprisonment.

Mr Franken said some birds swooped more actively than others and this could create a safety risk in some areas.

"These places should be avoided if possible – people should try to find another way to the school, train station or swimming pool. We have been alerting people to this fact of nature for many years now and trust they understand. I think people are learning to live with wildlife," he said.

Mr Franken said most birds had ceased their angry squawking and swooping by the end of October. "As soon as their young get more independent, even the most stroppy parent calms down," he said.

As part of its annual swoop! educational campaign, DSE has produced an information brochure detailing why birds swoop and ways to avoid them.

DSE has also produced a sticker that can be attached to the backs of hats and bike helmets. The stickers have eyes on them, and may discourage birds from swooping.

There are also signs available to warn the public of swooping danger, and these have been used effectively by local councils and schools over the past five years.

People seeking information about swooping birds should visit the DSE web site www.dse.vic.gov.au/swoop/ or call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

To order a swoop! sticker, sign or poster contact Information Victoria on 1300 366 356. Or visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/swoop/ to download an order form.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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