Gold Coast magpie attack: Bird found dead in Labrador

Days after residents reported ‘terrifying’ experiences with a magpie on a Gold Coast street, the bird has been found dead. DETAILS >>>

A MAGPIE has been found dead following a flood of complaints about magpie attacks on a Gold Coast street, a resident has reported.

Labrador resident Lauren Hutchinson posted on a Facebook community group saying she had found a dead magpie on Monday and gave the bird “a proper burial”.

“Someone took it upon themselves to kill the bird,” Ms Hutchinson said.

It came days after residents reported “terrifying” experiences with a magpie on Turpin Rd at Labrador.

Several people complained about the bird attacking them while riding bikes in the area.

Ms Hutchinson said it was “sad” that the magpie had died before there was a chance to put up warning signs about the bird.

“It’s even more disheartening that someone took it upon themselves to end it in a heartless act,” she said.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said officers had not received a report about a magpie death in Labrador.

“If a magpie was deliberately killed then we could be called in to investigate or even the police would investigate,” Mr Beatty said.

It’s not the first time there has been a suspected case of a deliberate magpie killing in the Gold Coast.

In January, wildlife rescue volunteers were called out twice daily for weeks to help sick and dying magpies on a single Southport street.

At the time, Wildcare spokeswoman Tara Hunter said the spate of magpie deaths at Crinum Crescent had shocked volunteers.

A swooping magpie in NSW. Picture: Trent Nicholson / YouTube

‘Petrified’: Woman suffers 7 broken ribs in freak magpie attack - September 26

A SOUTHPORT woman left with seven broken ribs in a freak magpie attack is calling on the Gold Coast City Council to install more warning signs about the birds.

Debbie Galbraith has spent the past month recovering from her injuries and is now “petrified” to leave her own home.

Ms Galbraith was on her regular bike ride to The Spit on August 27 when a magpie started attacking her head on Nerang St, causing her to lose control of her bike.

Three bystanders came to her aid after she fell off, with her chest hitting the ground.

After being taken to hospital, a full body scan revealed Ms Galbraith had suffered seven broken ribs in the fall which required surgery.

The Southport woman spent 13 days in hospital and has been recovering at home since, with another three weeks of recovery to go.

“I have had six plates put in just to line my ribs up together so they would heal,” Ms Galbraith said. “I’m still in pain and on heavy medication. I still can’t drive.

“I have left the house only twice in the past month to go to the doctor.”

Because magpies live on Ms Galbraith’s street, she is too scared to leave her own home.

“The little exercise I can do is to walk to my letterbox, I can’t even do that anymore,” she said.

“The birds tend to fly at me. I’m absolutely petrified and I don’t leave my house unless I’ve got someone with me.”

Ms Galbraith said the incident was reported to the council and she was told the magpie would be relocated.

But she said the council should be doing more to protect residents from the birds.

“Something really has to be done. There’s so many attacks lately and they’re actually really vicious this year.

“There needs to be more signs up warning people about where there have been magpie attacks.”

The council’s lifestyle and community chair Cr Hermann Vorster said people should report problem magpies to the council.

“Our city officers will then investigate and carry out a risk assessment at the location,” he said.

“It is important people speak up and at least make the request for signage.

“If people don’t speak up, there’s everything risk that these (incidents) are unreported and undocumented.”

A council spokeswoman said any reports of swooping magpies were assessed by a specialist, with a decision then made about whether relocation of the bird is necessary.

“If we are made aware of a particularly problematic bird within an area, we may consider installing temporary signage on a case-by-case basis,” she said.

Last month, Brisbane City Council pledged new guidelines to protect the community from dangerous magpies after a baby girl died in a freak magpie incident in Holland Park.

As part of the new guidelines, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council would need to act to remove dangerous birds and develop clearer warning signs for residents.

Ms Galbraith wished to thank the hospital staff in the trauma ward, surgeon Dr Bhavik Patel and Dr Philip Townend, for treating her.

‘Vicious’ rogue magpie leaves child in tears on Coast – September 24

A “VICIOUS” rogue magpie attacking children and adults on a Gold Coast street has sparked a flood of complaints.

Several people have posted to a Facebook community page about their “terrifying” experiences with the bird on Turpin Rd at Labrador.

Dominique Sanday said she was riding a bike with her nine-year-old son in the area on Thursday morning when the “vicious” magpie attacked.

“(It) wouldn’t let up until another innocent bike rider came along,” she said.

“I hope you’re OK. My son was crying and is shaken up.”

In another post, Karen Smith said she was attacked by a magpie on Turpin Rd on Saturday afternoon while riding an e-bike.

Her post came just days after a similar report in the area.

“After living on the Gold Coast most of my life and never being attacked, I can tell you this was a horrible experience,” Ms Smith said.

Division 7 Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said his office had not received a report about the magpie on Turpin Rd.

But the council was aware of a problem magpie near Charis Seafoods, with a notice to relocate the bird recently made, he said.

“When we get complaints our officers go out to investigate and if it’s deemed problematic then we will relocate the bird to a suitable spot so it is out of harm’s way,” Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said.

Last month, Brisbane City Council pledged new guidelines to protect the community from dangerous magpies after a baby girl died in a freak magpie incident in Holland Park.

There have been several reports about a dangerous magpie attacking people at the corner of Stoke Lane and Turpin Rd at Labrador.

As part of the new guidelines, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council would need to act to remove dangerous birds and develop clearer warning signs for residents.

Magpie swooping season typically runs from July to November, and attacks during this period are much more common.

People experiencing issues with problem magpies should report it to their local council.

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