Magpie swooping hotspots in Brisbane

IT’S magpie mayhem from above. Know your local swooping hotspots and how to avoid an attack.

Between 800-1200 magpie swopping attacks are reported in the greater Brisbane area each year.

MAGPIE season is well and truly here, with many unsuspecting people across Brisbane already reporting being swooped in various locations across the city. And to help you avoid the hotspots, Quest Community News is building a comprehensive online magpie map. You can add your magpie swooping locations to the map here.

Pedestrians and cyclists have reported attacks such as Julian who was swooped on the popular Kedron Brook Bikeway, and Sonja who was dive bombed by a magpie near Gaythorne train station this week. Meanwhile the maggies are bold at Rocklea with reports of attacks at the entrance of Bunnings, however few of our readers have reported being injured.

While less than 10 per cent of magpies swoop people, between 800-1200 attacks are reported each year in the greater Brisbane area.

Although only a small percentage of birds become highly aggressive during breeding season from late August to mid-October, male magpies can and will swoop and sometimes attack people in order to protect their nest.

Magpies have mostly been reported swooping in the more leafy suburbs of Brisbane and places with high foot traffic, however magpies can create nests anywhere.

Magpies are protected throughout Australia, and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect their eggs, or harm their young.

However if you feel a magpie is particularly being a menace, it should be reported to the local council.

Thank-you to our readers who have already submitted their magpie information to our map.

Tips to protect yourself:

Move quickly through the area

Wear a hat or carry an umbrella

Wear sunglasses for eye protection

Bike riders should dismount and walk

Don’t run

Watch the magpie while walking away quickly — it is less likely to swoop if it knows you’re watching

Never harass or provoke magpies as this may lead to a worse attack next time

(Source: Queensland Government magpie tips)

Do you know areas where magpies swoop unsuspecting victims? Submit locations here.