“Other native birds that are also common culprits on the Coast include plover, butcher birds and kookaburras, but even invasive species like Indian Mynas can attack at this time of the year. "These are birds that are trying to be good dads and protect their young. Report it . Do not approach a young bird or interfere with the birds or their nest in any way as this will likely increase swooping behaviour. Australia's Magpie Swooping Map 2020! If you do stumble upon a magpie nesting area or find a magpie swooping at you, walk away quickly and calmly, and try to maintain eye contact with the bird to scare it off. A NSW man shared footage of his son being accosted by a magpie on Monday. Swooping birds Native birds can be found in cities and towns, in our gardens, local parks, school yards, sporting fields and in street trees along busy roads. Try drawing eyes on the back of a helmet or hat, or hold a long stick in the air to deter swooping. Try drawing eyes on the back of a helmet or hat. Be aware of where the bird is. Australia's social website to track aggressive swooping magpies in your area. Know the swooping areas, give these birds space and take a detour—at least until they get their young out of the nest. It is advised, if possible, to use the front gate for the next 6 weeks. If a bird swoops while you are cycling get off your bike and walk. Walk away quickly but do not run. Most magpies usually swoop from behind and are much less likely to swoop if they think they are being watched. All native birds are protected under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and there are penalties for taking, harassing or injuring native wildlife. Swooping generally takes place for less than an 8 week period in spring (August to October) commencing when the adult pair is nesting and concluding when the young fledge (leave the nest). Only a small proportion of magpies swoop on people and these often have a preference for a few individuals that the birds recognise or certain types of ‘targets’ like pedestrians and cyclists. The male aggressively defends the nest. Dealing with swooping birds is a topic that arises very frequently in newspapers, on television and on birding forums. Cyclists should get off their bike and quickly walk past. Swooping magpies. swooping birds FACT SHEET NATIVE BIRDS. Their carolling song is enjoyed by many in urban areas. Administrator Login. A hat, bike helmet or umbrella can help protect your head from the swooping magpies beak and sunglasses can do the same for your eyes. • Keep calm and do not panic. It’s an offence to harm, kill or remove native animals unless you hold a licence. We all live alongside wildlife. “Swooping may seem frightening to us, however we need to appreciate it is a natural instinct for a magpie to protect their territory and offspring. And remember – native birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are protected in NSW. All native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act (1975). You may have different species of birds, possums, and bats where you live. 41 talking about this. Below are some tips on how to live harmoniously with native animals. A time of tentatively watching the skies, seeing the magpie swooping warning signs posted on poles and trees, and making amendments to the bike route. Cootamundra: 6940 2100 Gundagai: 6944 0200. Most of these relate to Australian Magpies. Most will usually swoop from behind. Ah, it’s that time of year again. The birds are renowned for swooping 'threats' to their young with precision. Magpie swooping season is at its worst in early September when the birds begin to have babies and protect their young. Most of us are familiar with the swooping of magpies, and many of us have probably fallen victim to a swooping or two during our lives! Magpies and the law Magpies are protected throughout NSW, and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect their eggs, or harm their young, If you feel Most native birds have very special food requirements, and in NSW, you may NOT keep any native bird or other wildlife (even if it is sick). Those worried about territorial birds should know their hotspots, which could include parks, schoolyards and bike trails. When using snail bait you are poisoning not only the lizards' food source but also the birds'. Sometimes contact is […] Magpie breeding season is here, and we remind the community to take precautions around places where magpies and other swooping birds nest. Information about how to avoid a swooping magpie during nesting season in the Parkes Shire. They are much less likely to target you if they think they are being watched. Please contact Council for further information T 02 9710 0333 ssc@ssc.nsw.gov.au sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au • Protect your head by wearing a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses or hold an open umbrella or leafy branch above your head. You can also hold a long stick in the air to deter swooping. "They are incredibly intelligent birds, the fact that they can recognise faces is incredible. • Be aware of where the bird is. It is illegal to kill birds, or to interfere with their nests containing eggs or young without a permit or authority. The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said the map can help residents avoid areas where known swooping birds are or take extra precautions. A magpie will only defend its nest within a ‘defence zone’. This may result in magpies swooping either people, pets or other birds and animals they perceive as a threat to New South Wales Birds. They are impressive birds with their distinctive black and white plumage and melodic warbling. … Contact Us. Some cyclists have success with attaching zip ties to their helmet. The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have produced a magpie map , identifying locations where people were swooped. Keep calm and do not panic. The clip has now been viewed over 3 million times. Magpies breed from August to October. For most of the year the Australian Magpies are wonderful neighbours. Being aware of swooping areas enables us to take extra precautions while they protect their nests and young, such as avoiding their territory. Our urban environment offers them places to sleep and shelter, along with an abundance of food. Do not deliberately provoke or harass the birds … Common swooping birds. Top ten tips to protect yourself against swooping birds Swooping birds can be reported to the Centennial Parklands office via (02) 9339 6699 or email info@centennialparklands.com.au so we can install warning signs to alert members of public. A page dedicated to informing the public of areas in which birds are swooping in Broken Hill. A 76-year-old cyclist died in Australia after being startled by a swooping magpie, according to CNN affiliate Seven News. Make a sign to warn other people about the swooping magpie. Swooping birds can be a frightening experience, but understanding why some birds behave this way helps us share our rural and urban environments with them. There are serious penalties for taking, harassing or injuring native wildlife. Australia's Magpie Swooping Map 2020! Magpie swooping season causes concern for those who don't understand them. A website website If you are a cyclist, walker, runner or maybe a concerned member of the public then help protect others and share swooping … Magpie pairs breed in spring (August - October) and the magpies' natural behaviour is to defend the territory around their nesting site. [Swooping magpies] is a small population of birds that dominate the news," Ms Parsons said. To keep safe from swooping Australian magpies, avoid walking or biking through magpie nesting areas since magpies are more likely to swoop to protect their territory. This season when the weather is getting cooler, Noisy Miner Birds are looking like they are starting to breed and are dangerously swooping on innocent passer-bys. If You Want To Watch A Swooping Magpie Attempt Murder On A … Boy, 10, who was swooped by a magpie in hilarious video returns to face the VERY aggressive bird with his father - and this time he has the last laugh Swooping stops once the young have left the nest, so it’s only a problem for a few weeks. Swooping Birds (PDF 431 KB) Please be aware that we have a swooping magpie located near our back gate (Glen Alpine). Reduce your chances of being swooped! Australian Magpie Australian Magpies are widespread and common in Victoria, especially in suburbs and farmland. The Victorian government has shared ten tips on its Swoop Map on how to protect yourself from swooping birds. Swooping birds usually attack with their beaks and aim for the scalp, face or eyes, which can be a frightening experience for children and adults alike. The mix of wet region birds, dry-land and migratory and sea birds results in a bird-list of over 400 species. 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