Incoming, six o’clock! The aggressor turns into a steep dive, locking quickly onto its perceived enemy. Its victim increases speed, desperately dodging and weaving, but the smaller fighter flies in like a bullet, manoeuvring expertly and delivering its first attack. Its machine-gun beak clacks “rat-tat-tat-tat-tat” as it veers just centimetres from its victim, then soars into the sky and banks for its next attack. Next time, there will be blood.
SWOOPING season is back with a vengeance as hormonal magpies are determined to defend their nests. I should know I’ve been swooped… repeatedly!!
Did you know research shows that sometimes swooping magpies target specific individuals – repeatedly attacking one person in a family and leaving the rest alone. They have long-term memories so can continue attacking an individual years later. GREAT!!! .
I’ve changed my morning walking route several times and no matter where I walk, those swooping dive bombers are there… waiting, watching, daring me to step into their territory. Then they swoop me – EVERYDAY.
I love birds and all, but maybe Alfred Hitchcock was onto something. From now on, (or for the next 6 weeks at least) it’s a morning yoga session for me in the safety of my own home.
Hi Kerryanne,
It’s a shame they weren’t that aggressive at the MCG on Saturday!
Hey Kerryanne! Uh oh! Magpie season! I’ve never (touch wood!!) been swooped by a maggie, but my brother has “VICTIM” stamped all over him and as a kid was constantly dodging feathery missiles. You need a bright coloured hat to stick some big felt eyes to the back of so they think you’re always looking at them! :0) Failing that – enjoy your yoga! Tee! Hee! Hee! Bear Hugs!
CHEERS!
KRIS
Ahh! Sounds a bit scary. Yoga definitely sounds like the way to go!
Karla
0h Kerryanne, I feel for you!!! I remember my first attack…I was 6 and walking from the school bus down the street to my house, and all of a sudden *smack pow* I was hit from above. I didn’t know what it was at first and rubbed my ear thinking, ouch, but kept going. Then again it happened *whistle and bomb sound* He got me right in the center of my head and the blood started to pour down my face. I ran screaming with my backpack over my head and the magpie swooping me the next four houses home and in through the back gate where my Mum met me and took care of me and cleaned the wound and calmed me down.
We later heard from the neighbours that the same magpie had given someone 7 stutches, and that the police had been called, and came and shot it.
I feel srry for the poor hormone ladden thing, now that I think back.
You know, we have magpies nesting in a tree just outside, but they never give us a problem. Other walkers and the kids next door, yes, but not us. I think it’s because we feed them. Maybe you could try feeding pet mince to the ones around your place, and they’ll come to see you as friend not foe. Either way, thanks for the reminder!! Hugs, Amanda.
Hi Kerryanne,
Oh, those rotten birds.
Maybe you should walk with a helmet on or carry an umbrella? lol
Looking forward to 1st October and your “Simply Christmas”!
Happy creating,
Hugs,
Anna
Oh We have tonnes of Maggies on our property and none have ver been swoopers but at my Sons school they swoop with vengence!!
I love the sight of cyclists with the plant ties sticking madley from their helmets!!!
I got attacked riding my pushie when I was about 10, it caused the most damage when I came off and hit the bitumen! Have you tried the ice-cream bucket on your head with eyes drawn on the back?
HI sweetie, sorry to hear you are being stalked – those maggies can be quite scary… we’ve had lots of incidences here – there are stories about magpie attacks in the local paper every week. I’m happy to know you are having safe yoga lessons! Naughty birds!
Lots of love sweetie!
Vikki xoxo
Hi kerryanne…I love magpies…i used to feed a family of 4 on my balcony for several months until the “poop” became too much!!
But I dont think i would like to be attacked by one..so good you stay at home…
unless you go out with a helmut with eyes painted on the top..apparently they dont swoop then…
xx andrea
I think they are making up for Saturday 🙂
A guy at my work has a bike helmet with wooden skewers stuck on it that he wears while he rides to work. It looks like an echidna LOL. A tad dangerous too if he falls of I’m guessing!
Good luck
Lee:)
Hi Kerryanne
Sounds scary to me.
I’ve noticed around our area, the posties, bike riders, joggers….wear hats/helmets with lots of spikes attach…sort of look like something from Mars!! Still it’s better than being attacked!
There’s an idea, knowing how creative you are, you could make some designer bird cap deterents!
keep safe, Gail xx
I think I would stick at home too! scary birds! 😉
OMGoodness! I would so hate that….and here I am complaining that I had to carry my umbrella on my morning walk,….well actually it was supposed to have been a jog! yikes!
maybe you should bring an umbrella with you too…rain or shine!
have a good night!
ciao bella
CREATIVE CARMELINA
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Wow, You have brought back some memories when it comes to the Maggies..When I was 13, I was a BMX rider and was riding to a race meet with my uncle, who was also a BMX rider..We didn’t have our helmets on cause where we were staying, the track was close. We had to ride throught this track with lots of trees and next thing I knew was, I had been hit right in the middle of my head by a Maggie..There was blood every where and I had to cancel every race meet that weekend…I was not happy.. 🙁
Hugs Michelle