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Tips for the Spring Swooping Season

Spring has arrived and with it the need for extra caution in the great outdoors, as some of Australia’s bird species turn naturally nasty.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 4th September 2003 - Back to News

Spring heralds the start of the breeding season from September through to November for species including magpies, butcherbirds and masked lapwings. Some birds take extreme measures to protect their nests, eggs and young during this time by swooping passers-by that come into their territory.

"Magpies swoop people because they are protecting their eggs or young from what they see as potential threats, whether the intruders are other magpies, predators or people", DSE Senior Wildlife Officer Charlie Franken said.

"The fact is, the birds are doing what is totally natural and people have to accept that a change in their day to day routine or to use a range of techniques is required to deal with a troublesome magpie during the breeding period", Mr Franken said.

Swooping season can leave many of our previously safe and peaceful parks, reserves and gardens as danger zones for children, pedestrians and cyclists using pathways and grounds near where birds are nesting. This aggressive behaviour almost always ends after the breeding season.

Sometimes swooping magpies make contact, with the potential for injury, particularly to the head and eyes. This year magpies have again started earlier than average and DSE has already received reports of injuries, so it is wise to take a number of precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

• Avoid or take an alternative route around the swoop zone
• Stop children or others interfering and further aggravating the bird.
• Painted eyes or sunglass worn backwards increases hat effectiveness. Wearing a hat or helmet increases your protection.
• Place signs to warn others of magpies swooping in a particular area.
• Wave a stick or use an umbrella to act as deterrence.
• Travel in groups or in the company of a friend as magpies generally swoop individuals.

DSE has produced a "Swoop!" kit, which includes a brochure detailing why birds swoop, key species and ways to avoid them, a sign to alert people to potential danger and a sticker with a pair of eyes, to be attached to the back of hats and bike helmets, which may help to deter some birds from swooping.

"The eyes in the back of your head idea is a good one. Research shows that birds are less likely to swoop if they are being watched and most birds will attack from behind. So tricking them into thinking you have your eye on them can make a difference", Mr Franken said.

Native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act and it is an offence to harass or destroy native birds or their eggs, however we must understand their behaviour and find practical solutions for avoiding injury during the swooping season.

Information about the campaign and available resources will be sent to local government, all schools in Victoria, Bicycle Victoria, committees of management, RSPCA, Australia Post, Parks Victoria, licensed wildlife controllers, and bird watchers' clubs.

To order swoop! resources - brochure, poster, sticker and sign – call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for an order form or visit the website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/plntanml/swoop/

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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