Swooping season has flown in

SWOOPING season is here, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is reminding Victorians that some bird species may swoop people as part of their normal breeding behaviour.

DELWP Program Manager of Compliance Operations, Mark Breguet, said the first incidents of birds swooping at locations in the Barwon South West region were reported last month.

“We have already had reports of Australian magpies swooping in and around the Geelong area.

“Being swooped by a territorial bird is no fun, but this is just normal bird behaviour and, if possible, the best response is to keep away from the area.

“As the weather starts to warm up, birds start breeding and we want people to be aware of swooping birds.

“Some of the places where people are most likely to be swooped are public spaces such as parks, particularly where there are tall eucalypts.

“People should remember not to harm native birds as they are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.

“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.

“They are swooping to defend their eggs and young and if they perceive you to be a potential threat, they may swoop.

“DELWP encourages people to share information about swooping birds by logging their encounter on our swoop map.

To report a swooping incident by any species of bird on Victoria’s swooping bird map, head to delwp.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/wildlife/swooping-birds.