Get out the cable ties and googly eyes, magpie swooping season has arrived early.
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Magpie nesting season usually starts mid-September, but an unseasonably warm and short winter has coaxed them out early, said President of the Australian Bird Study Association Tony Hunt.
"Nesting typically starts around spring but it has been a warm winter and certainly my research is seeing physiological signs of birds starting to think about breeding early, in fact it started a number of weeks ago," he said.
"It's no surprise that magpies are starting to establish territories.
"Winters are getting shorter thanks to climate change, July 2019 marked the warmest July we've had globally, ever."
In relieving news for those who enjoy the outdoors, Mr Hunt said not all magpies swoop people.
"Magpies swoop because they establish a breeding territory that they police, but as to why they go for humans it's a little unclear," he said.
"Not all magpies swoop people, some perceive humans as a threat and some don't.
"Swooping is not a universal behaviour in magpies."
Warrnambool City Council's swooping bird advice is as follows:
- Be confident and face a swooping bird. Usually it attacks you from behind.
- Hold a stick or umbrella over your head.
- Do not panic and run. Running encourages a swooping bird to continue its attack.
- Do not shout, throw stones or hurt the birds. They will swoop more.
- Do not destroy their nests. This is illegal. The birds may nest again and then their breeding season is longer.
- Do not feed or make friends with native birds.
Magpies are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, so it is illegal to bring harm to a magpie or its nest.
Keep track of aggressive swooping magpies in the area through Australia's Magpie Swooping Map 2019.
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