It’s magpie season and super protective males are turning the bravest into quivering wrecks.
Statistics show most Australians will be ``bombed’’ at least once in their life. Many end up needing medical attention.
Quest has launched an interactive online map to help you avoid the magpie hotspots and is asking readers to share their local knowledge.
To check out where the magpies are swooping in Greater Brisbane, view the map.
If you want to add a hotspot, email the address to , with the subject line Magpie hotspot.
>> MAP: See swooping hot spots across Greater Brisbane
Armchair experts paint eyes on the back of ice cream buckets which they wear as hats; they make whooping noises and they wield sticks and umbrellas above their heads.
But, says Griffith University urban ecologist Darryl Jones, the ``eyes’’ strategy is futile.
``However, full face masks that are reasonably realistic do (deter attacks) and a whole forest of cable ties on the helmet also seems to work,’’ Dr Jones said.
He said magpies that attacked people represented less than 10 per cent of the local bird population.
``They are always males and only attack when there are chicks in the nest,’’ he said.
Of those that attack about 10 per cent specialise on cyclists, 10 per cent only posties, 50 per cent only pedestrians and the rest are not fussy, he said.
Dr Jones’ book Magpie Alert: Learning to Live with a Wild Neighbour is recommended reading.
In the end avoidance is the best strategy for those under siege, he said.
2009 map: See where magpies were swooping in 2009.
Source: whereilive
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