By Alesha Capone
More than 25 swooping magpies have been reported in Wyndham so far this year.
The magpiealert.com website, also known as Australia’s Magpie Swooping Map, has received several reports from residents who have been targeted by the birds.
The reports include six swoopings in Point Cook, four in Tarneit and three each in Truganina, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing.
Two attacks were reported in Middleton Drive, Point Cook, both upon cyclists this month.
One of the cyclists posted that he was “viciously attacked at least a dozen times” and that the magpie followed him for a block.
A “psycho magpie” which “clawed” a cyclist’s back was also reported on Davis Road, Tarneit.
Another bicycle rider wrote that he encountered a magpie on the Federation Trail, near Tariff Court, Werribee, on September 14.
He said the bird drew blood on his neck and, “It also pooped on my jersey”.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s program manager of environmental compliance Suriya Vine said bird swooping was part of life in Australia.
“Swooping occurs every year during breeding season and is largely a defensive manoeuvre carried out by some male birds when we come within close range of eggs or fledgling birds,” Ms Vine said.
Ms Vine said it was best to avoid spots where magpies swooped.
“If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area,” she said.
“It is up to us to co-exist peacefully with wildlife and respect it.”
