By Jodie Symonds
THIS week has delivered some beautiful weather, and what a great time of year to exercise, but watch above for those screeching black ‘n’ white birds.
Because spring-time also means swooping season in the Yarra Ranges.
Interestingly, recent research has suggested magpies may remember who they have swooped before and may, in fact, target the same person again.
Students from Griffith University in Queensland found that magpies can detect faces and tend to swoop the same people when they are on foot.
According to magpie swooping alert website www.magpiealert.com, there have been a whopping 695 attacks to date this year, and 79 injuries.
There have been four attacks recorded around Yarra Glen, Warburton, Lilydale and Launching Place.
Research by the university also showed that the more ridiculous you look near a magpie, the less likely you will be attacked by a magpie.
Here are some top tips to avoid magpies this spring:
*Wear a helmet or some sort of protective gear;
*Attach cable ties to your bicycle helmet- and a lot of them! The idea is to look like an echidna;
*Walk quickly but do not run;
*Carry an open umbrella above your head however do not swing it at the magpie as this will provoke an attack.
