Interactive map reveals Victoria’s magpie swooping hot spots

An interactive map shows the hot spots for magpie attacks in Victoria after a baby girl died in a freak swooping accident in Queensland.

Almost 50 magpie attacks have been recorded across Victoria before the official start to the swooping season has begun.

Magpie Alert, a website that tracks magpie swooping hot spots, has recorded 184 attacks and 20 injuries across Australia this year.

It comes after a five-month-old baby girl died from critical injuries when her mother fell attempting to duck a swooping magpie at a Brisbane park.

Brisbane City Council said the magpie, which had an official complaint against it before the fatal attack on Sunday, had been seized by council workers and had since been moved “a long way away”.

In Victoria, magpies are protected under law but early reports of attacks suggest this spring’s swooping season could be worse than previous years.

Marcus Alexander said his wife’s eye was injured in the gardens of St Kilda Park Primary School on Friday August 6.

“One magpie swooped and hit her quite hard under the eye,” Mr Alexander reported to Magpie Alerts.

“She has a small lack of eye as a result and has lost all faith in magpies.”

A Stanhope cyclist, 200km from Melbourne, said a flock of birds had attacked in a co-ordinated attack on Johnson Rd on Sunday.

“Three magpies ganged up on me,” the cyclist said.

“(I) used my bike as a shield until they all flew away for good.”

Another cyclist warned of a vicious magpie in Diamond Creek.

“Old mate is back and keen as ever to remind you of the swoop life,” he said.

The magpies have also marked their territory above a fire station in Echuca, on the Victorian and NSW border.

“A magpie has staked out the CFA building as their location. Is a persistent bugger definitely keep your eyes out for this one,” an Echuca resident said.

Victorian Department of Environment Land Water and Planning senior wildlife management officer Rebecca Dixon said hot spots from previous years were likely to be a problem again in 2021.

“Magpies have a great memory and can live for around 20 years, typically remaining in the same area their whole lives,” Ms Dixon said.

“This can mean a swooping spot will remain year after year.”

Swooping birds, which included magpies and masked lapwings, were territorial and were difficult to relocate, as most would attempt to return to their young.

The best way to avoid being swooped is to stay away from known hot spots.

“While less than 10 per cent of swooping birds actually swoop, you should have a plan of action if you’re worried,” Ms Dixon said.

“If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area without running.”

She said bike tracks, including the Mornington Peninsula’s Bay Trail from Dromana to Rosebud, were common swooping spots.

The Victorian Department of Environment website said the public should not try and move any territorial magpies.

"All Victorian native wildlife is protected by law, and it is illegal to harass or harm native birds and other wildlife without authorisation," it said.

"Don’t interfere with or throw stones at birds.

“This gives them added reason to see humans as a threat and may increase swooping behaviour."

Tips to avoid being swooped:

· Know your local swooping hot spots

· Avoid the area

· Move quickly, but don’t run

· Cover your head with a hat, helmet or umbrella and consider drawing a pair of ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat or helmet

· Do not harass or feed wildlife

Reported magpie incidents – 2021

Provided by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Magpie Attacks

Abbotsford

Walmer St – Attack on pedestrian

Alphington

146 Fulham Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

Avondale Heights

120 Riviera Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

Beaumaris

14 Wallace Cres – Pedestrian repeatedly swooped

Bendigo

13 Bath Ln – Magpie attack on walker

Berwick

138 Homestead Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

31 Bellevue Dr – Magpie attack on cyclist

Bonegilla

3655 Murray Valley Hwy – Magpie attack on runner

Brighton

Middle Brighton Station – Magpie attack on walker

121 Church St – Magpie attack on walker

Bundoora

188 Dunne St – Magpie attack on cyclist

Dandenong South

31 Glomar Ct – Magpie attack on cyclist

67 Amberley Cres – Magpie attack on cyclist

59 Amberley Cres – Magpie attack on cyclist

Michelle Guider 15, ducks while a magpie swoops for the attack. Photo: David Thomas

Derrimut

1 Kenwood Green – Magpie attack on cyclist

Diamond Creek

St Johns Anglican Church, Main St – Magpie attack on cyclist

East Melbourne

Bourke St, Spring St – Magpie attack on walker

Parliament Station Steps, Lonsdale and Nicholson St – Attack on pedestrian

Echuca

Echuca South Recreation Reserve, 294 High St – Magpie attack on cyclist

6 Rob Roy Ct – Magpie attack on cyclist

Epping

218-220 Cooper St – Magpie attack on cyclist

Galada Tamboore Pathway – Magpie attack on cyclist

Flora Hill

2 Bendigo Cres – Magpie attack on runner

Greensborough

Greensborough Plaza Shopping Centre – Magpie attack on cyclist

The Circuit X Kalparrin Ave – Magpie attack on cyclist

Hoppers Crossing

101 Bellbridge Dr – Magpie attack on cyclist

Bellbridge Drive – Magpie attack

Ivanhoe

Cremean Park Cnr Bond St And Cremean Rd – Grey Butcherbird attack

Lilydale

101 Lakeview Dr – Magpie attack on cyclist

Melbourne

Batman Ave – Magpie attack on runner

Main Yarra Trail: Magpie attack on runner

552 Elizabeth St – Magpie attack on walker

Mount Macedon

11 Turritable Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

Mount Waverley

13-15 Mclochlan St – Attack on walker

Murrumbeena

27 Hobart Rd – Magpie attack on walker

Narre Warren North

2 Heathdale Rd – Magpie attack on person

Narre Warren South

1 San Remo Ct – Magpie attack on postie

36W Montebello Blvd – Magpie attack on cyclist

40W Montebello Blvd – Magpie attack on cyclist

156 Narre Warren – Cranbourne Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

Preston

5-9 Blanch St – Magpie attack on walker

Rowville

Sovereign Manors Cres/Karoo Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

St Kilda

St Kilda Park Primary School Kitchen Garden, 70 Fitzroy St – Magpie attack on Walker

66 Fitzroy St – Magpie attack on walker

Stanhope

Johnson Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist

Skye

395 Ballarto Rd – Birds swooping children

Vermont

2 Arlington Walk, – Magpie attack on cyclist

Whittlesea

48 Yea Rd – Magpie attack on runner

Wonga Park

83-85 Brushy Park Rd – Magpie attack on cyclist