As Brisbane enters the peak of swooping season this month, Greenslopes has emerged as a hotspot for aggressive bird behaviour, prompting a warning for residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Although breeding season spans from July to January, September typically witnesses the highest number of swooping incidents. In September 2023 alone, 165 incidents were reported to the Council, accounting for nearly 43% of all cases throughout the year. Since July 2024, the Council has already received 68 reports.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner assured the public that every swooping incident is taken seriously and appropriate measures are implemented to safeguard the community.
This year, the Council has proactively installed over 120 new warning signs across 36 suburbs, including Greenslopes, to alert residents about potential swooping areas. The effectiveness of these bright, eye-catching signs, first introduced in 2021, is evident in the notable decline in reported incidents since their implementation.
Lord Mayor Schrinner urged residents to continue reporting swooping incidents so the Council can deploy signage and monitor bird activity. He emphasised the importance of coexisting with native wildlife while ensuring community safety.
Data reveals a significant decrease in swooping bird reports since the introduction of the high-visibility warning signs:
– 1,193 notifications in 2021
-726 notifications in 2022
-571 notifications in 2023
-149 notifications to date in 2024
Despite the decrease, Lord Mayor Schrinner advised residents to remain cautious, avoid areas with swooping birds, and report any aggressive behaviour to the Council.
Common swooping birds include magpies, plovers, butcherbirds, pee-wees, and noisy miners, all driven to protect their young from perceived threats. While the Council has the authority to relocate problem birds posing a severe risk, all native birds are protected under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Precautions to take during the swooping season include:
-Avoiding nesting areas
-Leaving the area calmly if swooped
-Wearing protective headgear and glasses
-Refraining from interfering with birds or their nests
-Maintaining eye contact while moving away
-Avoiding provoking or harassing birds
-Not touching young birds
-Dismounting and walking away if swooped while cycling
In addition to Greenslopes, suburbs with high reported swooping incidents this year include Carseldine, New Farm, Bracken Ridge, Keperra, Camp Hill, Forest Lake, Sinnamon Park, Teneriffe, Calamvale, Bridgeman Downs, and Upper Mount Gravatt.
Published Date 04-September-2024
