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Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
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Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby jonlo » Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:28 am
I probably won't be able find a different way to avoid the area, so just wanna see if anyone got any tips....i've read about stuff like putting zip tires / eyes on the helmet...but people have said that they've still being swooped....I was thinking whether when riding pass this area next time, i will lean forward and keep my head low, so that my head isn't the highest point....i will give it a go next week and see if i get swooped again...
Also...did a google search and found this swooping magpie hotspot map..looks like someone has already reported my swooping location
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/suburbs/magpie-alert#map
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Comedian » Sun Sep 12, 2010 4:21 am
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby marinmomma » Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:45 pm
There is another tough bugger or two living at the Logan Road end of the bikepath....
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby beauyboy » Mon Sep 13, 2010 1:57 pm
I have only been swooped by him once so far but have noticed he is not choosie weather you are on the rode or the Bikeway.
When he swooped me it was more a kamerzie as he ran smake into the back of my helmet.
Donald
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby tomns » Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:27 pm
beauyboy wrote:The goodwill bridge Magpie is selective. He will not swoop everyone and will not swoop all the time.
I have only been swooped by him once so far but have noticed he is not choosie weather you are on the rode or the Bikeway.
When he swooped me it was more a kamerzie as he ran smake into the back of my helmet.
Donald
Hey has cut my ear before - not this year,
There is one around the back of newstead behind Evelin St - swoops only not savage
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby mcarrigg » Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:56 am
Comedian wrote:Magpies are all different. They all have different dislikes. I've found that if you put enough long cable ties on a helmet it doesn't stop them attacking, but if they have to fly through a forest of cable ties to make contact it does make it difficult for them to connect.
Ive seen that video previously, quite interesting isnt it.
I will say one thing though, different magpies have different "tastes" when it comes to choosing targets, some will target bike riders and leave pedestrians alone, some will target pedestrians and leave bike riders alone, some will target kids with backpacks and leave everyone else alone. Based on this, im guessing this theory in the video will not work with all magpies as it looks they only tested this outcome on this one magpie. Be interesting to test the theory on consistent dive bombers elsewhere.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Comedian » Sun Sep 19, 2010 3:44 pm
mcarrigg wrote:I will say one thing though, different magpies have different "tastes" when it comes to choosing targets, some will target bike riders and leave pedestrians alone, some will target pedestrians and leave bike riders alone, some will target kids with backpacks and leave everyone else alone. Based on this, im guessing this theory in the video will not work with all magpies as it looks they only tested this outcome on this one magpie. Be interesting to test the theory on consistent dive bombers elsewhere.
Yep, I agree. All that video proves is that at some point a bike rider wearing a helmet did something horrible to that magpie. Let's face it too... the bulk of riders do so if a magpie was to be traumatised by a bike rider, they would likely be wearing a helmet. So maybe the helmet off thing might be useful.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby clarinetcola » Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:56 pm
The one at the bikeway entrance next to the logan road freeway on ramp is a bitch. Every morning..... sit up - duck down, sit up - duck down. SWOOSH CLANK - didn't see that one coming. Strangely enough I haven't seen it in the last few weeks. Anybody know what it's up to?
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby marinmomma » Mon Sep 20, 2010 6:07 pm
clarinetcola wrote:The one at the bikeway entrance next to the logan road freeway on ramp is a bitch. Every morning..... sit up - duck down, sit up - duck down. SWOOSH CLANK - didn't see that one coming. Strangely enough I haven't seen it in the last few weeks. Anybody know what it's up to?
I haven't used the V1 for a couple of weeks, I've been taking my chances with the nutter on Logan Rd out the front of Officeworks...the one at the end of the V1 started early, I got swooped by it in mid-July...it might have packed it in for this year and taken off on holidays until 2011

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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Romper » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:41 pm
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby gordy » Sun Sep 26, 2010 6:17 am
marinmomma wrote:clarinetcola wrote:The one at the bikeway entrance next to the logan road freeway on ramp is a bitch. Every morning..... sit up - duck down, sit up - duck down. SWOOSH CLANK - didn't see that one coming. Strangely enough I haven't seen it in the last few weeks. Anybody know what it's up to?
I haven't used the V1 for a couple of weeks, I've been taking my chances with the nutter on Logan Rd out the front of Officeworks...the one at the end of the V1 started early, I got swooped by it in mid-July...it might have packed it in for this year and taken off on holidays until 2011
I have not seen the magpie at the end of the v1 at Logan rd for a couple of weeks. I did notice a sizable blood stain on the concrete and wonder if the council have removed this bird. This bird is one of the ones that goes all year round.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby marinmomma » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:16 pm

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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby soc » Mon Sep 27, 2010 12:54 pm

Got to work with quite a considerable patch of dried blood covering my ear, no wonder I was getting some curious looks (and it wasn't beacuase of my fat lycra covered gut this time

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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Serena_P » Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:42 pm
Something that's worked for me so far is to feed a small piece of raw meat to the ones that I am really worried about on my regular pathways. I know-it takes a moment, and you have to keep something on you to clean your hands with afterward, but it really does work. They will remember you and so you only ever have to it once. I think this is why Magpies swoop selectively too- they remember people who have fed them and seem to like people who remind them of their `friend'.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby happycycler » Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:19 pm
I'm mega scared of these things, have been pecked on the head before and blood flow...crazy things.
But tomorrow - I attempt! I will let you all know if I have any head left

Night and good luck to those who face the angrier ones.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Le Velo » Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:51 pm

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Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Kenzo » Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:18 pm
happycycler wrote:But tomorrow - I attempt! I will let you all know if I have any head left![]()
I guess he didn't make it....

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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Max » Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:08 am
Le Velo wrote:Archerfield road after the airport near intersection towards northbound. Swooped twice but only hit the helmet once......I'll be watching you next time
Are you referring to Beatty Rd, the stretch with all the panelbeaters opposite the airfield? I've been swooped by this one before, but never struck. Maybe he's getting bolder this year! There's also one that lives near the post office on Boundary Rd. He's a swooper and beak-clacker. Yet to strike me, but maybe he's also evolved this year

Max
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby Le Velo » Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:54 pm
Max wrote:Le Velo wrote:Archerfield road after the airport near intersection towards northbound. Swooped twice but only hit the helmet once......I'll be watching you next time
Are you referring to Beatty Rd, the stretch with all the panelbeaters opposite the airfield? I've been swooped by this one before, but never struck. Maybe he's getting bolder this year! There's also one that lives near the post office on Boundary Rd. He's a swooper and beak-clacker. Yet to strike me, but maybe he's also evolved this year
Max
Hi max, yes that must be the one. Just after the air field going towards Beatty road. He came from behind and hit the back of the helmet once but just lightly and then tried again but knowing he was behind I was keeping an eye out for the shadow coming down and had to lean down to avoid him
There is always one there every (if not the same but must be)
Might just have to make that stretch the sprint pea rise for the next few weeks or so ... Lol
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby smoran » Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:31 am
In the past week every time I go past there he has had a go at me. Unfortunately this is whilst I'm going at speed after coming down the hill.
Got a nice shiny red/black helmet - no cable ties / etc. Was thinking about sticking a couple of party poppers to my helmet and pulling the string when he gets close

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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby dclnmurray » Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:37 pm
gordy wrote:I have not seen the magpie at the end of the v1 at Logan rd for a couple of weeks. I did notice a sizable blood stain on the concrete and wonder if the council have removed this bird. This bird is one of the ones that goes all year round.
New season and maybe a new magpie.
A couple of the guys have been swooped at the end of the V1 at Logan Road. I've ridden this section quite a few times (six times a week) all year so far and no attack. Must be the bright white new helmet I have.
cheers
Dave

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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby ozjolly » Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:40 pm
dclnmurray wrote:This bird is one of the ones that goes all year round.
Might be a different bird. It definitely stopped after nesting in about November last year.
gordy wrote:A couple of the guys have been swooped at the end of the V1 at Logan Road. I've ridden this section quite a few times (six times a week) all year so far and no attack.
If it's the same one as last year it's vicious! I thought I felt a warning swoop a few weeks ago but I've had nothing since.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby russellgarrard » Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:31 am
The amount of people who come up and ask what it's for...
If your cheeky, just tell them an echidna had sex with your helmet.
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Re: Swooping Magpies - Brisbane
Postby briztoon » Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:24 am

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