October 18, 2022
With magpie breeding season now in full swing, South Burnett Regional Council officers have begun receiving reports about attacks.
Cr Scott Henschen told the Council’s recent Liveability standing committee meeting that the bulk of this year’s attacks have been coming from the Wondai area, followed by Kingaroy.
Warning signs alerting residents to swooping magpies have now been erected at reported attack sites.
Staff are also creating a master list of attacks to see if they warrant the engagement of a licensed bird relocator.
In 2019, the Council started erecting warning signs about swooping magpies on the Rail Trail at the request of the South Burnett Rail Trail Users Association.
And last year – after more approaches from the community – the Council hired a bird relocation professional to capture a dozen of the region’s most aggressive magpies and move them to more remote sites.
Cr Henschen warned that if the Council does need to hire a bird relocator again, high demand for their services from major population areas means very few are available.
However, staff will continue to search for a contractor to service the region’s priority sites if it becomes necessary.
Magpie breeding season – when some magpies become overly aggressive about protecting their nests – usually occurs from late August to mid-October in the South Burnett.
After this the birds pose no threat.
However breeding season can last as long as from July to December, depending on weather and other conditions.
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