Menacing magpies on the march as peak swooping season sets in

MAGPIE hysteria is gripping Victoria — and it’s not just Collingwood fans being swept up in footy fever. It’s peak swooping season for our local maggies, so watch out!

MAGPIE hysteria is gripping Victoria — and it’s not just Collingwood fans being swept up in it.

Cyclists and pedestrians are facing the threat from above as swooping season reaches its peak.

The Magpie Alert website, where people share stories of magpie attacks, has tracked 340 swooping incidents across the state this year, with a surge in recent days.

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Bonbeach resident David Quirk is regularly swooped by a local magpie. Picture: Michael Klein

The same magpie has swooped on David Quirk for the past two weeks. Picture: Michael Klein

Cyclists are the main targets, attracting two-thirds of the swoops.

While most escape with nothing but a fright, about 13 per cent of cases listed on the site ended in injury.

One prolific magpie has been haunting cyclists at the corner of Drinan and Chelsea roads in Chelsea in Melbourne’s southeast.

Bonbeach’s David Quirk said he had encountered the same bird on his morning bike ride every day for the past two weeks — and was swooped every time.

“He's a recidivist, that little maggie,” Mr Quirk said.

“He’s got a fascination with cyclists and helmets.”

Mr Quirk said the magpie didn’t discriminate.

“He’s got no problems with swooping kids or the elderly.”

While some cyclists attach cable ties on their helmet to act as a deterrent, Mr Quirk said he was not going for that option because it was “not aesthetically pleasing”.

“I’ll just hunch down and ride a bit faster,” he said.

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