Wildlife in the Shire

WIRES

WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. WIRES has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals for over 35 years.

WIRES operate a dedicated Wildlife Rescue Office assisting wildlife and the community across Australia 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, providing rescue advice and assistance for over 130,000 animals annually and can be contact on their 24/7 Emergency Hotline on 1300 094 737. 

For more detailed information, please see the WIRES Emergency Advice Page.

Magpies

For most of the year, magpies are not aggressive. But for four to six weeks during the nesting season, they will often defend their territory vigorously. People walking past may be seen as invaders of the territory, prompting the magpies to swoop low and fast over the person, clacking their bills as they pass overhead.

The experience of a magpie attack can be quite alarming, but it is usually only a warning. Only occasionally will a bird actually strike the intruder on the head with its beak.

Information provided by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage advises that if a magpie swoops at you:

  • Walk quickly and carefully away from the area, and avoid walking there when magpies are swooping.
  • Make a temporary sign to warn other people.
  • Magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them. Try to keep an eye on the magpie, at the same time walking carefully away. Alternatively, you can draw or sew a pair of eyes onto the back of a hat, and wear it when walking through the area. You can also try wearing your sunglasses on the back of your head.
  • Wear a bicycle or skateboard helmet. Any sort of hat, even a hat made from an ice cream container or cardboard box, will help protect you.
  • Carry an open umbrella, or a stick or small branch, above your head but do not swing it at the magpie, as this will only provoke it to attack.
  • If you are riding a bicycle when the magpie swoops, get off the bicycle and wheel it quickly through the area. Your bicycle helmet will protect your head, and you can attach a tall red safety flag to your bicycle or hold a stick or branch as a deterrent.

Further information about magpies can be found at www.environment.nsw.gov.au

 

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