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.
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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.