Residents urged to take care during Magpie breeding season
Date published: 7 October 2016
It’s Magpie breeding season again and residents are urged to take care to protect themselves from potentially aggressive birds.
The council has already begun erecting signs on council land in known Magpie hotspots including Banfield Drive, Mount Louisa and on walking paths in Riverside Gardens between Lord Howe Promenade and Freshwater Drive.
Councillor Mark Molachino warned walkers and cyclists to take extra care.
“This is normal defensive behaviour during the breeding season and can last up to six weeks, so we urge residents to take care during that time,” Cr Molachino said.
“Council can only erect signage on council land and cannot relocate problem Magpies without a permit from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.”
To protect yourself:
* Walk quickly through the area, don’t run
* Wear a hat or carry an umbrella
* Bike riders – dismount and walk
* Never deliberately provoke or harass a Magpie
The Magpie is a protected species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
