What do I do if a magpie swoops? Here's some tips to help protect yourself from a swooping bird

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Spring has sprung, and with it the usual reports of magpie attacks. With warmer winters, it appears swooping season, as it’s known, could be starting earlier. But experts say following a few simple tips will help you avoid a strike.

Transcript

00:00For these cyclists, spring is the perfect time to get out and explore,

00:05but in the trees above, magpies are eyeing them off.

00:12Most of them are fairly civilised about it,

00:14but occasionally there's one that takes it very seriously.

00:18Magpie breeding and nesting season is in full swing

00:22and they're out fiercely defending their eggs and chicks.

00:25Some swoop and don't, don't swoop.

00:29Some don't, don't strike.

00:31Some strike, some hit you on the back, some hit you on the helmet

00:35and some hit you on the ear and some bite you on the ear like last year.

00:40The threat of being swooped is lasting longer.

00:43The winters are getting warmer over the last few years

00:46and there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that the nesting is starting earlier and earlier.

00:51If you have a swooping magpie in your neighbourhood,

00:54you're advised to walk through the bird's territory quickly, but don't run.

00:58You can protect your head with an umbrella, hat or helmet

01:02and wear glasses to protect your eyes.

01:05If you're on a bike, you're advised to walk it through the area.

01:11They're just doing their job and we can work with them and around them

01:14and of course it's a bit scary, of course your heart rate goes up.

01:17I understand that, it's happened to me too,

01:19but there are ways of working around it and not creating more of a fuss than needs to be.

01:24For cyclists, some opt for safety in numbers.

01:27Riding in a group, they tend to leave you alone

01:30because they're not quite sure how to handle a group I think.

01:33If you're riding in a group, you hope they sweep somebody else.

01:36That's the trick of riding in a group.

01:38An annual burden.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended