Now that spring has sprung, the weather is warming up, and more people are out and about, but so is the wildlife, which may become territorial when approached.
Native birds swoop anywhere they are nesting, including urban areas, parks, gardens and bike tracks.
Senior Wildlife Projects officer at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Simon Ruff assures that swooping will only be prevalent briefly before chicks and young leave the nest.
“While swooping is unsettling, it’s normal behaviour for a range of native birds, warning people and animals not to come near their young. It’s rare for birds to make contact,” he said.
“Not all birds swoop during the breeding season, so the presence of magpies or other common swooping birds doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be swooped.
“Remember, the swooping behaviour will only last a short time, normally stopping soon after the young leave the nest.”
Mr Ruff advises people to know their local swooping hotspots.
Some known locations where swooping has occurred in Echuca are on the corner of Yakoa Natya and Northern Hwy near the roundabout, the Murray Valley Hwy near Elizabeth St, the bike track opposite St Mary’s Primary School on Bridlington Ave and in Echuca Wildlife Reserve.
Mr Ruff also advises not to harass, feed or destroy the nests of birds, and if you find yourself close to one, move quickly but don’t run.
You can report a swooping incident on Victoria’s interactive swooping bird map by visiting Swooping birds (wildlife.vic.gov.au)
All native wildlife is protected by law. Harassing, harming or disturbing native birds and other wildlife is illegal in Victoria and penalties apply.
You can report wildlife crime such as harassing, harming or disturbing wildlife to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.