Interactive map: Gold Coast’s magpie attack and swooping hot spots

There have been more than a dozen incidents involving magpies across the Gold Coast in the last year - now we’ve compiled a complete map of the city’s hotspots. INTERACTIVE MAP >>>

DATA has revealed the worst areas in the Gold Coast for magpie strikes as we enter peak swooping season.

Gold Coast City Council received 14 reports of magpie incidents over the past 12 months.

Magpies have left Ormeau residents in a flap, with the suburb copping the most swooping complaints with three reports received.

Main Beach, Mermaid Waters and Nerang had two magpie swooping complaints each, followed by Currumbin, Hope Island, Labrador, Pacific Pines and Southport with one each.

The complaint in Labrador also involved a bird striking people.

“An investigation of the site failed to locate the magpie and no further action was able to be taken. No further reports were received from that location,” a council spokeswoman said.

“The city investigates all reports of striking birds on public land.

“Reports of swooping birds are referred to the Department of Environment and Science’s guidelines on staying safe from swooping magpies.”

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

Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science said this was because birds were defending their chicks and eggs, which are in the nest for about six to eight weeks between July and November.

A DES spokeswoman said people experiencing issues with problem magpies should contact their local council.

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Originally published as Interactive map: Gold Coast’s magpie attack and swooping hot spots