Magpie Season

[Hildalgo]

Had an ole friend say hello on the Princess Highway in Pakenham. Better incentive than a Strava segment to go fast. Has anyone else been attacked yet?

[beanbiken]

Yep, had two "flying visits" yesterday on the Euroa-Strathbogie Road. Weren't vicious, I think they were just softening me up for the coming weeks

[Mike Ayling]

31st July we saw a magpie swoop on a jogger at Yarra Junction where the Sunday market is held.

Mike

[Hildalgo]

Small consolation, but at least we give them a decent workout

[danny the boy]

My regular local sparring partner came out to say hello yesterday morning, last year he was a lot later.

[macca33]

Yep, Pakenham, near Lakeside is very active again. Also, Warragul, near YGP in Normanby St ....... many more to come!!!

[nezumi]

I got swooped for the first time ever on Wednesday last week, heading north along Grange Rd in Alphington.

[TonyMax]

First swoops this morning. Three dive bombs from the same bird. He didn't have a go on Tuesday.

I'm just going to either change my commute route slightly or where I have to cross a bird's territory I'll dodge the swoops and remove myself from their patch as soon as I can.

I found this video this morning which seems to indicate the only method which works is something I won't be employing or condoning (removing the helmet):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4

[Hildalgo]

Pretty athletic Magpie. Shame they didn't trial the ride faster method

[ironhanglider]

Unfortunately all magpies are not set off by the same triggers. Some only attack cyclists but not pedestrians, others only pedestrians but not cyclists, others go for particular colours etc.

However you can have a helmet and the impression of hair if you want.

Cheers,

Cameron

[NGtim]

http://www.magpiealert.com/All-Australia-Magpie-Map.php

Good resource if you are mapping out or interested in looking at your usual route.

I have been getting swooped a long Malcolm Road, Braeside, VIC since last season!! Rode past over the weekend and got swooped again so it's defintely back on... like donkey kong

[cranky-1]

Yep I can confirm this area I Braeside to be a hotspot, as I ride round that area and got attacked.

[caitymb]

Hi there - finally joined the forums after long-time lurking, as this post prompted me to.

DELWP (where I work) launch a crowd-sourced swoop map for Victoria each swooping season, where anyone can log swoop encounters with details - alternatively, you can zoom in to see where hotspots are in your area:

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/environment ... ping-birds

Encourage anyone to add their swoop hotspots to the map so other cyclists can either avoid that area, or be aware of swooping activity when riding through the area.

Last season I saw quite a bit of swooping of walkers and cyclists along the Dandenong Creek Trail, but haven't observed any yet - it's only early though.

(and hello all!)