Brisbane residents, particularly those in Carseldine and Bracken Ridge, are being urged to stay vigilant as the city enters the peak of its annual swooping bird season.
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These two suburbs were among those with the highest reported swooping incidents year to date, according to Brisbane City Council. As spring unfolds across the Queensland capital, September typically marks the most active period for magpies.
Last year, this month alone accounted for 165 reported incidents to Council, representing nearly 43% of all cases throughout 2023. Since the start of the 2024 swooping season in July, 68 incidents have already been logged, signalling another active year.
The breeding season, which begins in July and can extend into January, sees native birds becoming more territorial and protective of their nests. This natural behaviour, while disruptive to daily life, is a crucial part of the local ecosystem.
In response to the seasonal threat, Council has ramped up its efforts to keep residents safe. More than 120 new warning signs have been deployed across 36 suburbs, marking potential swooping hotspots. These signs, introduced in 2021, feature eye-catching colours and designs aimed at grabbing attention and reducing incidents.
Cr Adrian Schrinner emphasised the seriousness with which the council approaches this annual challenge.
“We take every bird swooping incident seriously and act appropriately to protect the community,” Schrinner stated. He encourages residents to report any swooping occurrences promptly, allowing council officers to erect signage and monitor bird activity.
“Our signs are quickly rolled out if we’re alerted to swooping incidents and they have proven incredibly effective with fewer incidents reported to Council since they were introduced,” Cr Schrinner explained.
He also stressed the importance of coexistence with native wildlife, noting, “Native wildlife contributes to the incredible lifestyle we have here in Brisbane, and we have to coexist with these birds during swooping season while keeping the community safe.”
To help residents navigate this tricky time, the Council has issued a list of precautions:
- Avoid known nesting areas during breeding season.
- If swooped, leave the area quickly but calmly – don’t run.
- Wear protective gear: hats, umbrellas for head protection, and glasses for eye safety.
- Don’t interfere with birds or their nests, as this may intensify swooping behaviour.
- Maintain eye contact with the bird while walking away.
- Refrain from harassing or provoking birds.
- Never touch young birds.
- Cyclists should dismount and walk away if swooped.
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As Brisbane’s residents, especially those in Carseldine and Bracken Ridge, prepare for the peak of the swooping season, the message is clear: stay alert, be prepared, and remember that this too shall pass.
With proper precautions and community cooperation, Brisbane can safely share their beautiful city with its feathered inhabitants, ensuring that spring remains a time of renewal rather than fear.
Published 5-September-2024
