Expert says culinary solution may ward off protective birds during swooping season

With feathered danger at its spring time peak an expert explains how to win over maddened magpies in your neighbourhood. See our map with the swooping hot spots near you.

Experts say only about 10 per cent of magpies swoop.

IT IS spring time, the days are warming, nature glories in its rejuvenation and somewhere in Australia someone is likely to “lose an eye” from swooping birds.

With magpie season upon us there have been multiple reports of residents being swooped, with victims sharing their tips to avoid birds busy protecting their eggs.

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Magpies have begun their spring attacks.

Griffith University professor and magpie expert Darryl Jones said feeding magpies to prevent attacks has some merit.

“It’s controversial, but it definitely works, but only when the magpies know you personally,” he said.

“If you live within the magpie’s territory, they will know you and if they associate you with something positive like food (mince or cheese) they usually stop the swooping.

“But this does not work in places where there are lots of people like parks or shopping centres.”

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Prof Jones said only about 10 per cent of magpies are aggressive towards people, but can cause serious damage.

“Hundreds of people are injured every year, some quite seriously, mainly due to falling off bikes,” he said.

“And eyes are lost somewhere in Australia most years, so it can be very high risk.”

Multiple exposure photograph of a magpie starting a swoop dive. Photographer: Liam Kidston

The professor said suburban areas are “magpie heaven” and with birds living up to 20-plus years, often in the same locales, they are a mainstay of our environment.

“Almost all swoops occur relatively close to the tree containing the nest, always when there are nestlings, so the most obvious thing to do is avoid these relatively small spots,” Prof Jones said.

“We can’t actually prevent swooping but we can minimise the risk of injury by staying away, wearing a hat or helmet, or using an umbrella to prevent them making contact.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council Parks and Recreation spokesman Koliana Winchester warned that native birds are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is illegal to harm them or interfere with their nests or eggs.

“Spring is prime time for native birds to begin swooping as a defensive behaviour to protect their young,” Cr Winchester said.

“Don’t wave your arms, yell or throw objects at the bird as this will likely make the bird more aggressive.

“I encourage locals to report locations where birds are known to be swooping so that council can alert locals.”

Swoopings have been reported at:

Near Possum Park at Mulgara Crt, North Lakes

Corner of Lakefield and North Lakes drives, North Lakes

Lochside and Campion Drives, North Lakes

Drop off zone at Bounty Boulevard State School, North Lakes

Dohles Rocks and Wagner roads, Griffin

And the folks at Magpie Alert identified these locations:

1 Grahams Rd, Strathpine

2 Duffield Rd, Kallangur

77 Eucumbene Dr, Petrie

461 Dohles Rocks Rd, Murrumba Downs