LATROBE Valley residents are once again being urged to take care outdoors, with swooping season underway across the region.
Magpies aren’t the only culprits. Plovers are also known to defend their nests during Spring, swooping at passers-by for up to two months while protecting their hatchlings.
Both species are driven by instinct rather than aggression, and usually only swoop as a warning to ward off perceived threats.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has reminded residents that swooping season is short-lived but serious, and that harming native birds is illegal.
DEECA senior wildlife project officer, Simon Ruff said not every bird will swoop, but those that do can remember faces and reactions for years to come.
“Not all magpies swoop during the breeding season, so the presence of birds doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be targeted,” he said.
“The behaviour normally stops soon after the young leave the nest.”
While most swoops are harmless, injuries can occur if proper precautions aren’t taken. Authorities recommend cyclists dismount in known hotspots, or add deterrents like zip ties or stick-on eyes to their helmets. Walkers and joggers are encouraged to travel in groups, slow down in high-risk zones, or carry protection such as umbrellas and wide-brimmed hats.
Latrobe City Council has urged residents to remain alert, look out for warning signs in parks and along shared paths, and avoid known swooping zones where possible.
A swooping bird map is available online at: www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swoopingbirds, where residents can also log new sightings.
