How we respond to magpies in the coming months may result in reduced attacks during future swooping seasons, is the message Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza wants to impart to residents this spring.

“We need to remember these are mother birds wanting to protect their chicks in the nest,” said Mayor D’Souza. “So the best things we can do for them is to take a different walking or cycling route if we know there is a swooping magpie in the area. This may not always be convenient though, so the other options are to use an open umbrella, helmet or hat as protection.

“Definitely don’t throw sticks or rocks at the bird or nest and try to refrain from waving your arms about as this may increase aggressive behaviours and prompt more swooping.

“If we change how we respond to these magpies by avoiding problem areas for a few weeks and not giving nesting birds cause to become territorial, we may see a reduction in swooping behaviours.”

Calls to remove nests and birds have proved difficult in the past. Magpies are native birds and removal of nests require Council to receive permission from National Parks and Wildlife, and birds are likely to rebuild nests in the same area the following year and display even more aggressive behaviour.

Council will continue its policy of putting up signs to notify residents that a swooping bird is in the area, and encourages residents to report high swoop areas.