NSW suburbs with the highest numbers of magpie swoops, attacks

You know spring is here when you have to hold a stick above your head and run from a swooping magpie. With swooping season well underway, we reveal the suburbs with the highest number of magpie swoops and attacks.

Some countries herald the spring season with bright and colourful flowers, often pollen kicking up people’s allergies.

In Australia, we have a black and white pocket rocket of a bird diving towards our heads to remind us that it’s not only spring, but swooping season.

With the weather continuing to heat up, Aussies are once again being warned to look out for magpie nests and the birds guarding them.

According to Magpie Alert!, there have been 1904 recorded swoops and 242 injuries so far this year with Sydney suburbs of The Ponds and Baulkham Hills recording the highest number of attacks.

Sydney is a hotspot for magpie swooping. Picture: Magpie Alert

The popular website’s data has revealed the top ten suburbs with the highest number of magpie attacks in the state.

Taking the crown is The Ponds in western Sydney, with magpie attacks across 13 different streets.

Trailing closely behind is Baulkham Hills and Dubbo with 11 streets popular for the breeding birds.

Many Aussies have horror stories of getting hit during Swooping Season.

WIRES spokesman John Grant said the public should remember not to take the swoops personally.

“WIRES always reminds the community that when magpies begin swooping during the short breeding season it’s because like any concerned parents they see us as potential threats to their chicks,” he said.

“They are actually being protective rather than aggressive and the kindest thing we can do is to simply avoid their territory wherever possible.

“And let’s not forget the magpie was voted Birdlife’s Bird of the Year in 2017 so clearly an Aussie favourite for their active reducing of insect pests in our gardens and serenading us with their delightful warbling calls!”

Tips to keep safe include listening out for the “distinctive calls” of magpies nesting and walking quickly and carefully. People are also advised to avoid known magpie areas, walk in a group as magpies usually target solo travellers and carry a stick above your head but never swing at the magpie.

It’s also recommended to stare down a magpie as you slowly walk away as they’ll less likely attack if you look at them.

Cyclists are reminded to wear sunglasses along with a helmet and put a bike flag on.

Two magpies swoop to defend their territory from a postman on a motorbike. Picture: Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Signs are also installed across many NSW councils areas in known magpie nesting areas.

Every year like clockwork for six to eight weeks between August and October, magpies are on the look out for anything they deem a threat to their young.

Some magpies will just swoop you as a warning to stay away, but occasionally they can strike.

People are reminded not to provoke or harass magpies. It is also illegal in NSW to harm or kill them.