Magpie hot spots revealed as swooping season begins

HOT SPOTS: Where swooping magpies usually nest, and how to avoid the spring attacks

Zizi Averill and Zizi.Averill@news.com.au

2 min read

September 3, 2020 - 12:00PM

Swoop! There it is.... here’s where to avoid the dreaded magpie swoop in Mackay.Jillian McKees.

Mackay

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BIKERS, runners and pedestrians are looking to the skies in fear as a familiar vicious, swooping menace returns to Mackay.

Just days into spring and the magpie attacks have already begun, with reports of territorial magpies swooping residents on the website, Magpie Alert.

One Bowen runner said she was swooped repeatedly while jogging along East Euri Rd late last month.

"I was just jogging along the quiet road and then to my sheer terror found myself being swooped several times," Roisin wrote.

Magpie Alert, a website built to track magpie attacks, reported there were more than 1000 attacks and 108 injuries already this year in Australia.

Mackay residents have reported attacks at Mulherin Park near the Mackay Harbour Surf Club, at the off leash dog park at Queens Park, on Horse and Jockey Rd at Racecourse, Coningsby State School, Paradise St in South Mackay, outside the Bluewater Lagoon on River St and at the Mackay Showgrounds at the corner of Shakespeare St and Nebo Rd.

The Department of Environment and Science said a small portion of male magpies were the main perpetrators of the swooping menace.

DES said these magpies were only aggressive for a few weeks and their territory was limited to a 100m radius around their nests.

Magpie Alert, a website built to track magpie attacks, reported there were more than a thousand attacks and 108 injuries already this year in Australia

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They advise residents to avoid areas known to be home to swooping magpies.

"Don't fight back if a magpie swoops," DES said.

"Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie are likely to make it more aggressive next time anyone enters the defence zone around their nest."

Before entering a swooping hotspot, DES suggested residents protected themselves with broadbrimmed hats and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect their face.

"If you must enter a 'defence zone', magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group," DES said.

"Waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle can stop magpies from swooping."

Cyclists were advised to hop off and walk to avoid an aerial attack.

Magpie Alert, a website built to track magpie attacks, reported there were more than a thousand attacks and 108 injuries already this year in Australia.

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Mackay Regional Council Development Services director Aletta Nugent said council flagged danger areas in the region.

"Council erects signs warning of swooping birds in areas where residents have raised

concerns," Ms Nugent said.

"Signs are not erected in specific streets each year.

"Particularly aggressive birds can be reported to the DES for relocation by an authorised relocator."

Ms Nugent said magpies were a native Australian bird and therefore protected by the State Government.

In 2012 an aggressive bird perched above the Memorial pool became known 'Mackay's meanest magpie'.

Historically, the hot spots magpie's are known to target in the region include: