Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

when does the season end, I hate the little buggers

its a pity you cant get a miniaturised helmet mounted phalanx system, that would sort the buggers out

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/mil ... halanx.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

yarravalleyplodder wrote:when does the season end, I hate the little buggers

It's usually between August - November (give or take)...so probably another 6-8 weeks worth of evading or avoiding our feathered friends

Dave

A couple of years back one vigorous dive-bomber on my commute route (right near work so not so easy to avoid him) began bombing in late July, and made his last run (with contact made) on about Dec 5th

He had been just a wing-flapper previously, but this particular season he took to body-slamming me. No idea why, but he has not been sighted this year.

As others have said the swooping usually ends by November. However apparently if the weather conditions are favourable such as in 2010 when there was plenty of rain promoting growth and increased food supply after a period of prolonged dry, then birds can breed twice in the same season. This may explain why I was swooped close to mid December that year on tour in the N E of Vic. The following year they were swooping while on tour in the west of the state also in December.

Plan to ride from Ringwood to Frankston via Eastlink Trail - Cheltenham - Springvale Rd - Nepean Hwy tomorrow. Any magpies attack areas (hotspots) to watch?

Very aggressive magpie on Peninsula Link Trail yesterday, approx 100 metres south of Cranbourne Rd.

Swooped me 3 times going south and twice on the return trip. Made contact with the helmet each time.

young@heart wrote:Very aggressive magpie on Peninsula Link Trail yesterday, approx 100 metres south of Cranbourne Rd.

Swooped me 3 times going south and twice on the return trip. Made contact with the helmet each time.

I don't think I will go pass that area, but thank you for sharing... Hope you are well.

Cheers

My wife got swooped under the pagola in her parents back yard!!!
That's just plain unsporting and if I was there it would of been a dead Maggie after that
I've only had one that has made any real contact..
Why can't they just breed in the middle of buttfk in some state Forrest !

We shouldn't feel too bad, it's not just us humans that cop their attacks.

Driving home yesterday after work I was passing by the Calder Park Thunderdome (along Calder Park Drive, just off the freeway), when I saw a magpie fly out of a tree and swoop/attack a crow that was twice its size sitting on the side of the road.

The crow quickly retreated with the magpie eagerly in pursuit, clawing it's back just like it was a cyclists helmet. It was quite bizarre to watch.

So its not just us that are wishing they'd go away and leave us alone...

Dave

Weirdly I've never been swooped in the bush on MTB trails, only on a roadie.

Report of another attack... I was riding on Springvale Rd towards Edithvale this morning... approximately in the intersection after Haileybury College Keysborough campus... a rather big magpie hit me on my shoulder, then fly up and swooped again, this time hit my helmet... I try to stay calm and rode faster... Darn bird!

I started to wonder is it my helmet he doesn't like? I used to wear another helmet for three years and not a single swoop. This season, I got a new helmet, and suddenly I got hit EVERY SINGLE TIME I wore that new helmet, on three different locations! How bizarre! Darn bird!!!!

PS: This is my current helmet's colour scheme:

My old helmet.

Hmm.. I guess they can be a bit provocative

kb wrote:My old helmet.

Hmm.. I guess they can be a bit provocative

LOL... how many times did you get swooped wearing that one, kb?

Helmets may well be an issue. You have seen that video I assume??

Dave,

Another one for your list, this one is sitting on Ballarat rd before Robinsons Rd heading west
Not really aggressive as it came no where near my helmet and only swooped twice

jamesn184 wrote:Dave,

Another one for your list, this one is sitting on Ballarat rd before Robinsons Rd heading west
Not really aggressive as it came no where near my helmet and only swooped twice

Thanks James, I've added this one to the map
Dave

DoogleDave wrote:

jamesn184 wrote:Dave,

Another one for your list, this one is sitting on Ballarat rd before Robinsons Rd heading west
Not really aggressive as it came no where near my helmet and only swooped twice

Thanks James, I've added this one to the map
Dave

Dave,

Do you have your map shared online somewhere?

I have three locations for you - in case you haven't got them:
1. Knox Trail near the floodway at Scoresby Rd
2. Longwarry - after the bakery/shops.
3. Springvale Rd near Haileybury Keysborough.

Cheers

kimmie wrote: Do you have your map shared online somewhere?

Hi Kimmie,
I have been putting together a magpie map and displaying it on my local cycling club website (predominantly in and around the Shire of Meltom/Western suburbs), which is where we generally ride.

http://www.meltoncyclingclub.com.au/res ... magpie-map

I know there is a government magpie map floating around however that looks to be last updated in 2010.
I tried sending them an email yesterday with a link to my map (as there are a few locations missing on their map that are on mine), however I received a bounce back email from their server to say their email address is not valid.

If people think it is worthwhile I am happy to create another one and post it on here?
I should be able to make it public so anyone can add to it.

Mods: do you have any thoughts on this??? Or perhaps there is already another current map floating around that I am not aware of that we could link to/sticky???

Dave

kimmie wrote:Do you have your map shared online somewhere?

I have three locations for you - in case you haven't got them:
1. Knox Trail near the floodway at Scoresby Rd
2. Longwarry - after the bakery/shops.
3. Springvale Rd near Haileybury Keysborough.

There is a 2012 version of the DSE Swooping map - not very many listed overall but it looks like your Scoresby Rd pest is already there

il padrone wrote:

kimmie wrote:Do you have your map shared online somewhere?

I have three locations for you - in case you haven't got them:
1. Knox Trail near the floodway at Scoresby Rd
2. Longwarry - after the bakery/shops.
3. Springvale Rd near Haileybury Keysborough.

There is a 2012 version of the DSE Swooping map - not very many listed overall but it looks like your Scoresby Rd pest is already there

Gotta wait for the iGlass cycling version that will run the MaggieAlert app.

Got a full body slam one today on the Koonung trail.

Had a failed swoop on Mountain Hwy today. Poor creature got blown off course!

Dave,

That magpie you got swooped by near the Deer Park hotel has moved down past the lights there... the fker swooped me 3 times before reaching the ring road on ramp

And I saw the most weird thing, a random magpie no where near a tree fly over and swoop this poor old man crossing Ballarat Rd near the BP there.. then perched itself on the powerlines

defy1 wrote:Got a full body slam one today on the Koonung trail.

Oh nooo... I am planning a ride to city through Koonung Trail tomorrow....

kimmie wrote:

defy1 wrote:Got a full body slam one today on the Koonung trail.

Oh nooo... I am planning a ride to city through Koonung Trail tomorrow....

Well, you'll have to ride FAST then....hahahaha!