Living in harmony with magpies makes more sense | Letter to the editor

The season is relatively short lived and occurs each year for a few weeks when magpies are nesting and have young. What parents aren't protective of their newborn?

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Magpies can live for over 25 years and are territorial so it does make sense to learn to get along with these feathered members of the community. Adults form long lasting pairs and may return to the same area year after year.

Magpies will let out a call, flap their wings at you and click their beaks in warning. If the intruder keeps coming they may keep swooping, getting closer and closer - even hitting your head.

Disturbing magpies when protecting their nests, or provoking them by throwing stones etc will only teach a possibly tolerant magpie to be defensive and provoke an attack response for years to come.

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Compare this to many backyards where magpies may visit regularly and get to know their neighbours. They provide a chorus of song, even reducing mice numbers and insects, and eating beetles that might otherwise destroy your lawn or garden.

If you are aware of where they are nesting every year, then changing your route during this time is the best method. If that's not possible then raise an umbrella, or wear a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses.

If a particular magpie nest and swooping behaviour is a concern, it is best to post a warning sign (some councils may do this ) during the 'swooping season.'

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Organisations such as WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service ) recommend not speeding past on bikes, but getting off and walking quickly. Both WIRES and National Parks & Wildlife service remind people that magpies are protected in NSW - it is against the law to harm the birds and their young or collect or destroy their eggs, without a special permit.

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