Swooping season takes flight

Spring is in the air ... and so are swooping birds.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has sent a timely reminder that native birds swoop humans (and their dogs) to defend their young for the 6-8 weeks between when they hatch and when they leave the nest.

DELWP has received reports of birds such as magpies and masked lapwings swooping at locations around Gippsland.

Senior Wildlife Management Officer, Lachlan Clarke, said: “Swooping occurs every year during breeding season and is largely a defensive manoeuvre. For some species, including magpies, this is carried out primarily by males; swooping birds account for less than 10 per cent of the population.

“Being swooped by a territorial bird is no fun, but this is just normal bird behaviour. The best way to avoid being swooped is to avoid the area all together, though this isn't always possible. If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area without running,” said Mr Clarke.

Tips to avoid being swooped:

• Know your local swooping hotspots
• Avoid the area
• Move quickly, but do not run
• Cover your head with a hat, helmet or umbrella and consider drawing a pair of ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat or helmet
• Do not harass or feed wildlife

To report a swooping incident by any species of bird, mark its location on Victoria's swooping bird map, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/wildlife/swooping-birds

Magpies and other native birds are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975. Under the Act, it is an offence to kill, take, control or harm wildlife in Victoria. Penalties apply to those found in breach.