Swooping birds of 2014

last year I took a decent hit outside the Deakin telephone exchange (or secret squirrel office if you like). It resulted in 3 stitches to my ear. When I reported it to TAMS the Ranger called me and asked for photo evidence- which I duly obliged by sending him- the result was a small sign at each end of the ‘attack area’. What do TAMS do if someone relly gets hurt??? luckily I was wearing a cap and glasses, which were knocked off my head.

Magpies are friendly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoaEBb4IN4Q

Holden Caulfield said :

Roksteddy said :

There was one where I used to live that didn’t care if you were looking or not. He struck my son just under the eye and sliced his eyelid. That one had to be put down.

I’m sorry to hear that.

That must have been a very tough decision for you and your family.

Haha. Well played Sir

This website seems like a good idea

http://www.magpiealert.com/

briggles said :

or best, get a dog – in my experience, maggies go for the mutt over you [and my rottie took no notice]

That might work, my dog did once snap a bird out of the air…that was in her younger days though…sadly she is far too old, fat and lazy to run now.

Yes, well this year I’ve taken a different approach and tried feeding the birds around my house (Aranda). I’ve even taken to putting my helmet on when feeding in hope that when I ride around they’ll recognise me. All i’ve achieved is an angry bunch of birds crapping all over my balcony demanding food at 6am… every day. Is it worth it? Yesterday I got swooped.

Roksteddy said :

There was one where I used to live that didn’t care if you were looking or not. He struck my son just under the eye and sliced his eyelid. That one had to be put down.

I’m sorry to hear that.

That must have been a very tough decision for you and your family.

Madam Cholet said :

Wasn’t there a video on RA a while back that demonstrated that the magpies actually didn’t swoop a non helmeted bike rider, and swooped the helmeted or contraption headed ones?

You are probably thinking of this one:

http://youtu.be/9wHreVKgOT4

All magpies are different though. Some only swoop when you aren’t looking, some don’t care. Some only swoop posties. Some, like one where I live, only swoop dogs and leave us alone.
There was one where I used to live that didn’t care if you were looking or not. He struck my son just under the eye and sliced his eyelid. That one had to be put down.

Wasn’t there a video on RA a while back that demonstrated that the magpies actually didn’t swoop a non helmeted bike rider, and swooped the helmeted or contraption headed ones?

I think I had a half hearted swoop carried out on me last week when leaving my office by two magpies. They kind of just glided by, but probably lower and closer than would be normal. I consider in between a few high rises in the city to be an odd place to be even half heartedly swooped.

In all seriousness invest in a party mask, something that looks like a human face. I attached one to the back of my helmet and the maggies keep away. Last season I didn’t get swooped at all, fingers crossed the same for this season.