Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, is calling on residents to be vigilant and aware of magpies during swooping season.

Magpies and Masked Lapwing (Plover) pairs breed between August and October each year and their natural behaviour is to protect the territory around their nesting site.

To reduce your chances of being swooped, you can:

• Avoid the nest site and use an alternate route if possible;
• Do not deliberately provoke or harass the birds as this may make them more aggressive;
• Walk calmly through the area – don’t run;
• Protect your head with a large, wide brim hat or carry an open umbrella; you can place eyes on the back of hats and umbrellas which may reduce the likelihood of the bird swooping;
• Wear glasses to protect your eyes;
• Keep an eye on the bird as they are less likely to swoop if you look at them; and
• Bike riders should dismount from their bikes and walk through the bird’s territory. Try fitting a bike flag to the bike or attaching cable ties/fake eyes to the back of helmets.

“While being swooped by Magpies or Plovers can be scary, it is important to remember that this is natural behaviour and it is only temporary,” Cr Fedeli said.

“Council has developed a list of tips to help lessen the chances of being swopped which is very helpful as we go out to enjoy our beautiful local environment.

“I encourage the community to familiarise themselves with the list of tips and stay safe while going on walks or exercising in our local area.”

For more information, go to www.camden.nsw.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/native-animals/swooping-birds