September 24, 2019
The South Burnett Regional Council has acted quickly to alert Rail Trail users to swooping magpies.
On Tuesday, Council posted temporary warning signs on the trail.
The signs advise users to take care during magpie breeding season, which lasts from late August until mid-October.
Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff said she had recently received several complaints from residents about the birds.
In particular, reports of a very aggressive bird nesting near Meiers Road at Crawford had prompted her to explore possible solutions.
Cr Duff said she had examined rehoming the bird but it proved too costly and unreliable, since other magpies could take over a vacant nesting site.
Instead, Rail Trail users will be advised to take care by temporary signs.
The signs suggest users should walk – not run – quickly through the magpie area; wear protective headwear and sunglasses; and not act aggressively.
Cyclists are also advised to dismount to appear less threatening to the birds.
Cr Duff said the recent death of a 76-year-old cyclist in Wollongong who was trying to avoid a swooping magpie raised legitimate public safety concerns.
According to the SBRTUA, most magpies will only defend an area of about 110 metres – or 360 feet – around their nesting site.
SBRTUA secretary Jason Wyeth said the group was aware of several swooping sites along the trail this season.
He advised anyone with concerns to delay a trip along the trail until the end of the breeding season or to travel outside daylight hours when the birds are asleep.
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On Wednesday, South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said that in addition to the Meiers Road sign, warning signs have also been posted at other locations unconnected with the Rail Trail.
These include Memorial Park and O’Neill Square in Kingaroy, and several other sites where residents have reported swooping problems.
“If people are impacted by magpies in other locations, they should contact Council if they would like a sign put up as an alert,” the Mayor said.
“The signs are precautionary only and there will no attempt to relocate the magpies.
“It is, after all, their breeding season.”
- Related link: Group Seeks Magpie Warning Signs
