Magpie swooping map helps Aussies avoid springtime terror

Spring in Australia is a double-edged sword. On one hand: Hurrah! Warmer weather! On the other hand: you may lose an eye to a magpie.

Our friends overseas often think the most terrifying animals in Australia are crocs, snakes and sharks.

And while we locals do exercise a healthy degree of caution when it comes to these animals, the one we have probably had the most terrifying encounters with is …. the humble magpie.

While some people love the start of spring, and the return to warmer weather, those that live in an area where mappies (or pluvers) like to nest realise spring is a double-edged sword.

Because it’s when the dive-bombing begins.

It's almost time for the Worst Season in Australia to commence. Lock your doors and draw the curtains.

It’s something that international visitors are often completely unprepared for, and overseas publications are fascinated by (both the BBC in the UK and CNN have written about it, the later in an article titled "Why Australians hide from birds every spring").

An American in Melbourne was stunned when the display on his train platform warned of birds swooping in the area (there is a particularly notorious magpie that terrifies commuters at Richmond station).

@amfoskey

I guess its swooping season, y’all stay safe 🦅 #australia #usa

♬ original sound - Adam

In case you haven't come across it yet, the bible when it comes to Aussie swooping seasons in the aptly named MAGPIE ALERT! website, which has been running since 2017.

The community based site tracks swooping magpies through an interactive map, to warn others of the danger.

"If you are a cyclist, walker, runner or maybe a concerned member of the public then help protect others and share swooping magpie attacks on-line here!" states the web page.

The red markers you can see are swoopings that resulted in injury (!). You can also change the year on the map to get a historial history of swooping in your area. And you can click on each individual incident to get a blow by blow description of the terrible event. 

This is the map that will strike fear into the heart of many Aussies. Picture: MagpieAlert!

When is swooping season in Australia?

Magpie breeding time in Australia is usually from August to October and there is a period of around 4-6 weeks when they are super protective of their nests and may swoop passers by. But if the reports on the MagpieAlert! site are anything to go by, the birds do no have a calendar and do not strictly adhere to this timeline. Consider the August - October period to be more of a guide as to when you should really be panicking.

Kids at a school in Newcastle, NSW, with their magpie hats in 1984. Picture: Getty

How to avoid getting swooped

• Know the local swooping hot spots in your area and try to take an alternative route if you can.
• Move in a group.
• If you are swooped, don't flap about and be aggressive or you'll just rile them up more - just walk away (and make eye contact, as this tends to deter them).
• Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat to protect your eyes and head, or carry an umbrella above your head
• Listen for their distinctive calls. 
• Some people draw or sew a pair of eyes onto the back of a hat to deter the birds from swooping.
• If you are swooped while cycling get off of your bicycle and walk, a large number of injuries reported on magpiealert.com are caused by accidents where cyclists fall off during an attack. And if you are cycling, you may want to consider forking out $2.20 at Bunnings for a packet of cable ties to attach to your helmet. The swoopy fellas don't like the sticky-outie bits and they are less likely to make contact with your head.
• Finally, don’t harass the wildlife. 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.

Which birds might swoop you in Australia

Magpie, Magpie-larks, Masked Lapwings (plovers), noisy miners, grey Butcher bird, and sadly, the Kookaburra who always seemed to be in a good mood, but there have been reports of them swooping.

Which places in Australia are the worst for swooping?

Considering relocating to Victoria? You might want to rethink that. Picture: MagpieAlert!

According to the reports from swooping season 2023, Magpie Alert added up to 3030 swooping attacks around the country, and 394 injuries – which was actually down on 2022 stats.

Victorians reported the most swoops (798 with 128 injuries), followed by NSW (714 attacks with 66 injuries) and Queensland (642 swoops with 90 injuries).

The Victorian government has also released its own Swoop Map, allowing residents to track and report aggressive birds in their local areas.

Originally published as Magpie swooping map helps Aussies avoid springtime terror