Swooping magpies

: The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh. This
: one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't let me
: go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I thought I
: would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb head off, but I
: could only wish!
:

Yes you do feel like that at times but its not really their fault. Its
their job and they didnt choose it. :-)

Pete

On 11 Sep 2003 08:42:09 +0950, amirm <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, the confounded birds got me three times.

If you can manage to look at them, you`ll find they wont attack.
They`ll only attack if youre not facing them.
If it becomes really troublesome try sticking some paper cut eyes on
the back of your helmet to simulate that youre looking at them.
Regs Andy

Think how you would be feeling if your nuts had just grown 20 times larger.
I reckon I'd be a little touchy as well and lash out here & there.
The hat with eyes on the back is the go. They are cowards & won't attack
you if they think you can see them.
Jock
"amirm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, the confounded birds got me three times.

I took a spin to catch up with my weekly kms. On the route that I
normally take for this purpose, I have been being swooped on two
locations regularly. Yesterday, I took an extended version of the route
and the third bird got me, too.

After encountering these birds I can see that their swooping behaviour
varies. One of them only comes close so I can hear him/her approaching,
but never makes any contact. The second bird (different spot) always
makes only one contact. It feels as if he/she kind of grabs on my jersy
for a short time. No contacts with helmet. Since I do about 50-60 kmh on
that part of the route, I guess one swoop is enough, and by then I have
already left the territory!

The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh. This
one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't let me
go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I thought I
would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb head off, but I
could only wish!

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

I dont want to come across as cruel or evil, but ever since i saw my best
mate get smashed hard in the head when we were 9 years old. from a dirty
maggie. Ive had a chip on my shoulder. I always play baseball with them.
remember, evolution with only happen if you change things. and by me, owning
maggies when they swoop. they will evolve into non swooping [censored]..

"Jock" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Think how you would be feeling if your nuts had just grown 20 times

larger.

Quoted message said:

I reckon I'd be a little touchy as well and lash out here & there.
The hat with eyes on the back is the go. They are cowards & won't attack
you if they think you can see them.
Jock
"amirm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, the confounded birds got me three times.

I took a spin to catch up with my weekly kms. On the route that I
normally take for this purpose, I have been being swooped on two
locations regularly. Yesterday, I took an extended version of the route
and the third bird got me, too.

After encountering these birds I can see that their swooping behaviour
varies. One of them only comes close so I can hear him/her approaching,
but never makes any contact. The second bird (different spot) always
makes only one contact. It feels as if he/she kind of grabs on my jersy
for a short time. No contacts with helmet. Since I do about 50-60 kmh on
that part of the route, I guess one swoop is enough, and by then I have
already left the territory!

The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh. This
one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't let me
go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I thought I
would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb head off, but I
could only wish!

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

"Andy©" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you can manage to look at them, you`ll find they wont attack.
They`ll only attack if youre not facing them.
If it becomes really troublesome try sticking some paper cut eyes on
the back of your helmet to simulate that youre looking at them.

That can be dangerous. I've seen a rider with a large scratch above his
eyebrow done by a magpie. He explained that he'd done what you've suggested,
putting fake eyes on the back of his helmet. This caused the bird to attack
the front of his head under the impression it was the back.

Nick

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I took a spin to catch up with my weekly kms. On the route that I
normally take for this purpose, I have been being swooped on two
locations regularly. Yesterday, I took an extended version of the route
and the third bird got me, too.

After encountering these birds I can see that their swooping behaviour
varies. One of them only comes close so I can hear him/her approaching,
but never makes any contact. The second bird (different spot) always
makes only one contact. It feels as if he/she kind of grabs on my jersy
for a short time. No contacts with helmet. Since I do about 50-60 kmh on
that part of the route, I guess one swoop is enough, and by then I have
already left the territory!

The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh. This
one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't let me
go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I thought I
would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb head off, but I
could only wish!

--
>--------------------------<
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

Last Saturday I was the victim of a swooping. We parked under the

maggies tree, so can't complain when we got swooped. So I thought that
by leaving its area it would leave me alone. I was wrong when I jumped
on my bike and took off I was hit about 5 times on the helmet. On
approach for the sixth time I took my eyes of the road to see it
approach, hit a rock and came off spectacularly. My mates thought it
was hilarious! Whilst on the grounded winded the bloody bird kept
swooping me (not making contact though). I was now a good 100 meters
from its tree!

Don't know why but there were a group of people under the tree when we
arrived and they were not getting attacked and as we drove off it sat
in the tree and still didn't swoop them.

"Jock" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Think how you would be feeling if your nuts had just grown 20 times

larger.

Quoted message said:

I reckon I'd be a little touchy as well and lash out here & there.
The hat with eyes on the back is the go. They are cowards & won't attack
you if they think you can see them.
Jock

I rode through a new housing estate at Edens Landing about four years ago in
September (or nesting season anyway) and there were several swooping magpies
that got me cornered on an uphill. I got off my bike and they were
confronting me. I recall at least one was landing on the ground and kept
trying to fly up behind me, so I had to spin around and keep it in front of
me. After a minute or so I just had to ride away waving my one arm in the
air.

I thought Magpies would be a pretty good training aid. You have to
sprint to get through the attack zone and possibly if you're going fast
enough the bird won't keep up.

But honestly, magpies a menace and a dangerous threat to all cyclists.
Cyclists are the most vulnerable when it comes to magpies and none of
the old wives remedies appear to have any effect. I think magpies
actually target cyclists over any other group as they do appear very odd
and vulnerable and therefore weaker.

I pity those poor souls who actually have no choice but to ride on their
own through magpie territory. I personally have decided only to go on
bunch rides until the season is over. Safety in numbers right? But even
this does not seem to deter these birds.

One thing I do believe is that these birds are approaching plague
proportions in our suburbs. I believe it is because generation after
generation are being hand fed around the clock by well meaning
suburbanites instead of the population being cut back by environmental
factors during leaner times. With more and more birds reaching maturity,
their individual territories are beginning get crowded and they're
becoming more aggressive

--

Quoted message said:

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On 12 Sep 2003 13:34:08 +0950, Paul J <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

But honestly, magpies a menace and a dangerous threat to all cyclists.
Cyclists are the most vulnerable when it comes to magpies

What, more vulnerable than pedestrians? If so, why not just get off
the bike and walk? Are you thinking about this, Paul?

Quoted message said:

and none of
the old wives remedies appear to have any effect.

The eyes I painted on the back of my helmet would disagree with
this...

Quoted message said:

I think magpies
actually target cyclists over any other group as they do appear very odd
and vulnerable and therefore weaker.

Oh Paul, why in blazes would a magpie only seek to attack things which
are WEAK? These birds are trying to defend their nest and their young.
Weak foes would pose no threat to their young. You are in their
territory, pure and simple.

As much as I dislike being swooped, I admire their courage!

Sg.

Maybe there is some kind of conspiracy going on between the magpies and
aus.car..they all hate cyclists lol

"Jeff" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>
> I took a spin to catch up with my weekly kms. On the route that I
> normally take for this purpose, I have been being swooped on two
> locations regularly. Yesterday, I took an extended version of the

route

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> and the third bird got me, too.
>
> After encountering these birds I can see that their swooping

behaviour

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> varies. One of them only comes close so I can hear him/her

approaching,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> but never makes any contact. The second bird (different spot) always
> makes only one contact. It feels as if he/she kind of grabs on my

jersy

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> for a short time. No contacts with helmet. Since I do about 50-60

kmh on

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> that part of the route, I guess one swoop is enough, and by then I

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> already left the territory!
>
> The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh.

This

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't let

me

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I thought

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb head off,

but I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> could only wish!
>
>
>
> --
> >--------------------------<
> Posted via cyclingforums.com
> http://www.cyclingforums.com

Last Saturday I was the victim of a swooping. We parked under the

maggies tree, so can't complain when we got swooped. So I thought that
by leaving its area it would leave me alone. I was wrong when I jumped
on my bike and took off I was hit about 5 times on the helmet. On
approach for the sixth time I took my eyes of the road to see it
approach, hit a rock and came off spectacularly. My mates thought it
was hilarious! Whilst on the grounded winded the bloody bird kept
swooping me (not making contact though). I was now a good 100 meters
from its tree!

Don't know why but there were a group of people under the tree when we
arrived and they were not getting attacked and as we drove off it sat
in the tree and still didn't swoop them.

Laurence Dodd said:

I rode through a new housing estate at Edens Landing about four years ago in
September (or nesting season anyway) and there were several swooping magpies
that got me cornered on an uphill. I got off my bike and they were
confronting me. I recall at least one was landing on the ground and kept
trying to fly up behind me, so I had to spin around and keep it in front of
me. After a minute or so I just had to ride away waving my one arm in the
air.

You only have one arm?

&roo

No, I have two arms. The last sentence in my previous post should not have
included the word "my".

LD.

"Andrew Swan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Laurence Dodd said:

I rode through a new housing estate at Edens Landing about four years

ago in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

September (or nesting season anyway) and there were several swooping

magpies

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that got me cornered on an uphill. I got off my bike and they were
confronting me. I recall at least one was landing on the ground and

kept

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

trying to fly up behind me, so I had to spin around and keep it in front

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

me. After a minute or so I just had to ride away waving my one arm in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

air.

You only have one arm?

&roo

Originally posted by Dj Maybe there is some kind of conspiracy going on
between the magpies and aus.car..they all hate cyclists lol

Yes, there is another conspiracy.

Dr Hugh Wirth, the ever tactful leader of the RSPCA, got stuck into a
ABC radio talkback caller on the 6/9, who had the sheer nerve to mention
he was a cyclist & had probs with magpies.

Dr Hugh responded that he disliked cyclists & sided with the birds.
Sounds very shifty to me. Draw you own conclusions.

BTW, anyone ever encountered problems with plovers? nasty little sods
too.

--
it's all a creeping beige conspiracy

Quoted message said:

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cfsmtb said:

BTW, anyone ever encountered problems with plovers? nasty
little sods too.

Absolutely - great little divebombers. I knew them as "spurwing
plovers" when I was a kid in Brisbane. They seem to be known as
"lapwings" these days.

They have sharp spurs on the leading edges of the wings. But at
least they're vocal, and let you know they're upset - unlike
magpies, which are into stealth attacks.

All these birds are protected, and noone would ever think of
harming them! So when you get off your bike and stand with a
stick in one hand and the sun behind you (watching your shadow),
you must be careful not to raise the stick quickly at the wrong
time. Otherwise you might accidentally connect with one of the
precious little darlings.

John

Quoted message said:

Yes, there is another conspiracy.

Quoted message said:

Dr Hugh Wirth, the ever tactful leader of the RSPCA, got stuck >into a
ABC radio talkback caller on the 6/9, who had the sheer >nerve to
mention he was a cyclist & had probs with magpies.

Quoted message said:

Dr Hugh responded that he disliked cyclists & sided with the >birds.
Sounds very shifty to me. Draw you own conclusions.

Quoted message said:

BTW, anyone ever encountered problems with plovers? nasty >little
sods too.

I've never heard of cyclists being attacked by plovers and I've
regularly riden through plover territory without problems but yes
these birds are worse than magpies. Even though I've been attacked by
magpies I still have more respect for them because plovers are just so
damn stupid.

However, I wonder how long it will be before someone turns around
and sues National Parks and Wildlife and the RSPCA after losing an
eye to a magpie.

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com
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I remember refereeing a game of touch footy in plover territory.

This little bird spent the whole game divebombing everyone - he just didnt
give up!

One of the funniest things I have seen on a footy field

Paul

Paul J said:

Quoted message said:

Yes, there is another conspiracy.

Quoted message said:

Dr Hugh Wirth, the ever tactful leader of the RSPCA, got stuck >into a
ABC radio talkback caller on the 6/9, who had the sheer >nerve to
mention he was a cyclist & had probs with magpies.

Quoted message said:

Dr Hugh responded that he disliked cyclists & sided with the >birds.
Sounds very shifty to me. Draw you own conclusions.

Quoted message said:

BTW, anyone ever encountered problems with plovers? nasty >little
sods too.

I've never heard of cyclists being attacked by plovers and I've
regularly riden through plover territory without problems but yes
these birds are worse than magpies. Even though I've been attacked by
magpies I still have more respect for them because plovers are just so
damn stupid.

However, I wonder how long it will be before someone turns around
and sues National Parks and Wildlife and the RSPCA after losing an
eye to a magpie.

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

A guy was killed recently by a magpie striking his eye.

See e.g. http://tinyurl.com/njf1 which is
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7171577%255E2862,00.html

What techniques work depends on the individual magpie. In the case of the
above magpie, a shotgun is appropriate.

I try to give magpies plenty of space at all times, hopefully that helps
them stay calm and be human-friendly in the future.

http://tinyurl.com/njg2 (which is
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7238628%255E3102,00.html
) says...
Bird expert Dr Peter Mather, from Queensland University of Technology,
said the traditional view of why magpies attacked was they had past problems
with humans and long memories.
Dr Mather said the birds lived 20 to 25 years and might brand all humans
as threats, like goannas, after a single act of aggression.
"While it hasn't been 100 per cent demonstrated, there is certainly
evidence that magpies are not usually aggressive until someone interferes
with their young," Dr Mather said.

I am thinking of putting my little dog (7kg) on the bike rack - but I am not
sure if that would entice them more or less.

Anyone tried one of those legionairres hats (cloth flapping around behind
your head) under your helmet, or a bike flag?

"amirm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, the confounded birds got me three times.

I took a spin to catch up with my weekly kms. On the route that I
normally take for this purpose, I have been being swooped on two
locations regularly. Yesterday, I took an extended version of the route
and the third bird got me, too.

After encountering these birds I can see that their swooping behaviour
varies. One of them only comes close so I can hear him/her approaching,
but never makes any contact. The second bird (different spot) always
makes only one contact. It feels as if he/she kind of grabs on my jersy
for a short time. No contacts with helmet. Since I do about 50-60 kmh on
that part of the route, I guess one swoop is enough, and by then I have
already left the territory!

The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh. This
one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't let me
go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I thought I
would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb head off, but I
could only wish!

Tom N said:

A guy was killed recently by a magpie striking his eye.
See e.g. http://tinyurl.com/njf1http://tinyurl.com/njf1 which is http:/-
/www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7171577%255E2862,00-
.htmlhttp://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7171577%-
255E2862,00.html
What techniques work depends on the individual magpie. In the case of
the above magpie, a shotgun is appropriate.
I try to give magpies plenty of space at all times, hopefully that helps
them stay calm and be human-friendly in the future.
http://tinyurl.com/njg2http://tinyurl.com/njg2 (which is http://www.the-
couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7238628%255E3102,00.ht-
mlhttp://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,723862-
8%255E3102,00.html ) says... Bird expert Dr Peter Mather, from
Queensland University of Technology, said the traditional view of why
magpies attacked was they had past problems with humans and long
memories. Dr Mather said the birds lived 20 to 25 years and might brand
all humans as threats, like goannas, after a single act of aggression.
"While it hasn't been 100 per cent demonstrated, there is certainly
evidence that magpies are not usually aggressive until someone
interferes with their young," Dr Mather said.
I am thinking of putting my little dog (7kg) on the bike rack - but I am
not sure if that would entice them more or less.
Anyone tried one of those legionairres hats (cloth flapping around
behind your head) under your helmet, or a bike flag?
"amirm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:3f5fafc9-
[email hidden]:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, the confounded birds got me three times.

I took a spin to catch up with my weekly kms. On the route that I
normally take for this purpose, I have been being swooped on two
locations regularly. Yesterday, I took an extended version of the
route and the third bird got me, too.

After encountering these birds I can see that their swooping behaviour
varies. One of them only comes close so I can hear him/her
approaching, but never makes any contact. The second bird (different
spot) always makes only one contact. It feels as if he/she kind of
grabs on my jersy for a short time. No contacts with helmet. Since I
do about 50-60 kmh on that part of the route, I guess one swoop is
enough, and by then I have already left the territory!

The bloody third one yesterday got me when I was doing like 30 kmh.
This one kept bashing on my helmet. At least 6-7 times! It wouldn't
let me go. Kept coming back for a good 300 meters. I got so angry I
thought I would grab the bloody neck of the bird and snap the dumb
head off, but I could only wish!

So the fact that government removes nests of aggressive magpies from
public places is going to make them worse.

By the way, the day after I posted the original message, a fourth maggie
got me in the ear! No damage was done though. That was the day I tried
an entirely new route to avoid other menacing magpies and had to lap 7
times to get my daily kms. The same maggie swooped on me (got my ear
only on the first attempt which almost gave me a heart attack!) twice
per lap. After 5 laps (10 swoops) I gave up. Went somewhere else and did
the rest of training. Damn, it's so hard not to find a peaceful place to
do our harmless business. It's either drivers, pedestrians, dogs or
magpies. Huh! Got it out of my system finally 😉

--

Quoted message said:

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"amirm" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

By the way, the day after I posted the original message, a fourth

maggie

Quoted message said:

got me in the ear! No damage was done though. That was the day I tried

I think they've picked up on this thread, those maggies,
because I got tapped on the helmet this morning, riding
along Dandenong Rd. First one for the season...

I don't really see what the fuss is about though, I've only
ever had them tap my helmet - some of the horror stories
posted though make it seem like I'm a lucky survivor or
something! :-)

hippy