Magpie season alert

Posted: 07/09/2009

WODONGA residents are being warned to be on the look-out for swooping magpies.

Cyclists and walkers should be aware that with spring here the magpies are out in force protecting their nests.

Wodonga Council health and civic services manager Mark Verbaken said residents should wear a hat or bike helmet to protect themselves, as well as sunglasses for eye protection.

“People could also look at using an umbrella when they are walking in a swooping area,' he said.

“They are native birds, so in some sense we need to live with our native wildlife.

“People need to recognise that the magpies can be particularly defensive and they should take care.'

He said a swooping magpie can distract cyclists, resulting in them falling off or riding into the path of cars.

Residents are also advised to avoid swooping areas, face a swooping bird as they usually only attack people facing away from them and not to panic or run if swooped.

Mr Verbaken said wearing stickers in the shape of eyes on the back of helmets or hats sometimes deterred magpies.

Wodonga Council has bought some eye stickers that can be given out to residents living in prone areas.

These can be collected from the council offices in Hovell St or posted out to affected residents.

Below is a list of some of the swooping hotspots identified by Wodonga Council parks staff.

Corner of Hovell St and Elgin Boulevard
Corner Pearce St and Beechworth Road - Elm St side
Pearce Street - opposite McFarland Rd
Melrose Drive and Felltimber Creek Rd - to Heckendorf Rd
Pinkerton Park
Hovell St - between the city offices and the police station
Parkers Rd (footpath along eastern side)
Corner of Moonya Drive and Jarrah St - opposite Wodonga South Primary School.
Yarralumla Drive and Pearce Street - south eastern corner.
Walking track above Nordsvan Drive and Beard Crescent near the access road from Nordsvan Drive.
Gypsy Gardens on the Lincoln Causeway
Walking and bike path between Huon Creek Rd and Pearce St.
Sumsion Gardens - on the grassed hill area
McGaffins Rd about 100m east of Drewitts Rd
Melbourne Rd from Mobil to Aldi Supermarket
Melrose Drive and Lawrence St roundabout to Parkers Rd
On the bike path near the Wodonga Creek bridge nearing Sumsion Gardens.

Visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment website at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au for more information and advice on swooping magpies.

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