General News
31 August, 2023
Swooping season on the horizon, DEECA warns
The air is already feeling warmer as the Central Goldfields welcomes the first day of spring, but the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is also encouraging the community to be on the look out for swooping birds. Some...
The air is already feeling warmer as the Central Goldfields welcomes the first day of spring, but the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is also encouraging the community to be on the look out for swooping birds.
Some native birds such as plovers and magpies may swoop during their breeding season but DEECA is reminding residents not all birds and breeds swoop.
“Every spring, some native birds swoop to defend their eggs and young for a short time while their young are most vulnerable,” a DEECA spokesperson said.
“While swooping is unsettling, it’s normal behaviour for a range of native birds. Swooping is a warning to people and animals not to come near their young. It’s rare for birds to make contact.
“Not all birds swoop during the breeding season, so don’t be concerned simply because there are magpies or other common swooping birds in the area.
“Remember, the swooping behaviour will only last for a few weeks, normally stopping soon after the young leave the nest.”
To stay safe, DEECA recommends:
• know your local swooping hotspots and avoid the area
• move quickly but do not run
• wear protective head and eye coverings
• don’t harass birds — this can make swooping worse
• don’t feed the birds and do not destroy their nests.
Swooping hotspots can be reported and found on Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds
All Victorian native wildlife (including magpies) is protected by law, and it is illegal to harass or harm native birds and other wildlife without authorisation.
Report wildlife crime such as harassing, harming or disturbing wildlife to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.