Magpies are Out in Force - Hot Spots

[adrian_d]

Hi all,
Well i've had my second magpie swoop (well actually 2 in one day) and just wanted to see if anyone wants to share any hot spots in particular around Melbourne.

I was riding through the dandenong creek trail on the track that goes just near Hammond Road

There is one particularly frustrated Magpie that would swoop from a wire over the dandenong creek over the bike path and then back up.

I am sure there is a lot more around and the birds can move but if I can save someone a pecking, it was worth it

[pauls51]

Good idea!!!!

Haven't been out there in a while but I believe there is a resident magpie at the Casey Fields Crit track too

[adrian_d]

Good idea!!!!

Haven't been out there in a while but I believe there is a resident magpie at the Casey Fields Crit track too

Thanks I hate the feeling of running through an area and wondering if there is a resident "eagle" scooping the area for easy pray.

I was overtaking someone and that magpie (or one of them) on the map (marked as red) hit my helmet and I thought someone threw a rock so I put my foot down (and then up and then down haha) to try and get away. I was sure I dyed my white suite saddle to brown suede lol

[ashleyk]

Casey Fields one is absolutely there.

But he is only on the far loop so you can ride the track and turn before you get to the last loop and he won't get you.

[drnick79]

Seven Mile Road ~1km out from Trafalgar, there are a few angry magpies along there. One hit a mate twice on the helmet.

S

[pauls51]

Casey Fields one is absolutely there.

Good to see he is still around!!!!

[recurveron]

Adrian , i got done by the same one at the same place on Wed afternoon he only swooped once , but meant buisness , but he was not there on the thurs. Then further along where i turn onto Princess Highway another on got me on the tues.

[oldnewby]

pakenham, princes hwy between Toomuc Valley Rd and Dan Murphys. I have ridden past there (in both directions) about 6-7 times in 2 months, and he's got me every time (yes, since mid July!)

[__PG__]

I got done twice in Eltham on Sunday.

First time was on Bells Hill Rd just south of Eltham College. The second time was heading downhill on Main Rd near Brougham St.

[mattwilkinson]

Here in Bendigo was riding past a pub and read on a board: Caution eagle swooping.

I rode a little faster home

[Mulger bill]

Got a bit worried on a shops run yesterday when one came at me from the front at head height. I backed off expecting the worst and he swung around me left side and came back around the right and kept formation off me right shoulder about 1.5m out for almost 100m before swinging off. Never had that before

[asmc]

There's a contentious one along woodburn road near the Hawthorn Velodrome in Victoria (Right next to the University of Melbourne Hawthorn Campus)

It's swooped me the last 5 times i've been to the velodrome

[grasshopper]

DSE swoop map.

[toppity]

pakenham, princes hwy between Toomuc Valley Rd and Dan Murphys. I have ridden past there (in both directions) about 6-7 times in 2 months, and he's got me every time (yes, since mid July!)

now that one is mean. It smashed into the back of my helmut (hardest I've ever been hit) and then swooped me another 10 times over 800m.

[toppity]

Casey Fields one is absolutely there.

Good to see he is still around!!!!

picked us off warming up for a race, but left us alone in the bunch. Only problem was I got dropped and it rubbed salt into the wound by swooping me while I was wallowing in self pity.

[oldnewby]

now that one is mean. It smashed into the back of my helmut (hardest I've ever been hit) and then swooped me another 10 times over 800m.

so it's not just me! I've been avoiding the area for a few weeks now.. you're right, he is nasty. Can't be long left in the season now though hopefully.

[danny the boy]

Nepean Hwy, Mornington south of the Main St lights near the left hand bend. Had about 6-8 goes at me today over a couple of hundred metres, never made contact but I was ducking and trying to wave my hand above my head to distract it but it made no difference. Will be using an alternative route for the next couple of weeks.

[oldnewby]

found a new nasty one... harkaway rd just north of the roundabout in harkaway. 2 out of 2 rides in the last week, hit me both times, and had 4-5 goes after hitting me... roll on summer!

[DoogleDave]

Cnr of Diggers Rest-Coimadai Rd and Melton-Gisborne Rd (Toolern Vale side)....has TWO maggies lurking the area (near the round-a-bout), attacking those riding past. During a group ride yesterday the lead rider moved off too far from the front on their own and had both birds have a go, one after the other.

Hopefully the swooping season is over soon....

Dave

[blatant]

pakenham, princes hwy between Toomuc Valley Rd and Dan Murphys. I have ridden past there (in both directions) about 6-7 times in 2 months, and he's got me every time (yes, since mid July!)

I got attacked between beaconsfield and packenham yesterday by at least 5 magpies each way.
we should start a map that shows where it's safe because the swoop map is pretty much all red..

I was going to go for a good ride tomorrow but now considering just jumping on the trainer - one really agro magpie nearly made me crash when he scratched my neck

[adrian_d]

pakenham, princes hwy between Toomuc Valley Rd and Dan Murphys. I have ridden past there (in both directions) about 6-7 times in 2 months, and he's got me every time (yes, since mid July!)

I got attacked between beaconsfield and packenham yesterday by at least 5 magpies each way.
we should start a map that shows where it's safe because the swoop map is pretty much all red..

I was going to go for a good ride tomorrow but now considering just jumping on the trainer - one really agro magpie nearly made me crash when he scratched my neck

Ah thats never good at all. Sorry to hear. I'm hoping to work on something more up to date to warn others in the area.

I'm sure they are just trying to protect their young, but we gotta look after fellow cyclists. Nothing worse to wreck your day than that.

These are the best times to go out since the weather is improving too

[blatant]

Ah thats never good at all. Sorry to hear. I'm hoping to work on something more up to date to warn others in the area.

I'm sure they are just trying to protect their young, but we gotta look after fellow cyclists. Nothing worse to wreck your day than that.

These are the best times to go out since the weather is improving too

my first magpie experience and I was bleeding haha. Good weather doesn't make the ride enjoyable until the little devils have stopped breeding.
Luckily my bike pump finally had a use.

aside from cable ties and fake eyes what other effective methods have people used?

[DoogleDave]

aside from cable ties and fake eyes what other effective methods have people used?

Avoid their area alltogether.
This is the only thing that works 100% of the time.

Otherwise using your pump or stick above your head will make most think twice about actually making contact - but there are some birds that aren't deterred no matter what.
If this is the case just give that section of your route a wide berth for a couple more weeks and we'll hopefully all be swoop-free soon, free to enjoy the improving weather.

And yes, they are just protecting their babies - they have no malice in their intentions. Only humans seem to be capable of that - unfortunately.

Dave

[adrian_d]

I inspected my helmet today and found the "peck" mark which was suprisingly close to my neck. Damn birds aiming for the Jugular Vein. That thing must have been very close. I didn't even hear its wings over the sound of the gravel under the tyres.

[macca33]

Posted in another Magpie thread - but more appropriate in this one due to locality.

Came across one on the bike path between Warragul and Drouin yesterday - b/w Lardners Track and the Princes Fwy bridge. It was very keen, pecking my daughter a few times, then having a few further goes at me. Certainly had the kids pedalling quicker!!!

cheers