Shane McMahon's Ass
11-23-2009, 10:53 AM
THEY eat nasty grubs in the garden, sing beautiful songs and are as much part of the Australian landscape as gum and wattle.
Most people love magpies but, as the 2009 nesting season winds up, police have again followed orders to shoot them.
At Ballina, in the far north of NSW, five magpies were destroyed during the nesting season.
Last year four birds were shot in the same location.
The power is used only as an absolute last resort if public safety is at risk, said bird co-ordinator Melanie Barsony, from the wildlife rescue organisation WIRES.
Posties are very vulnerable to magpie wrath in nesting season.
Last year the corner of Cherry St and Bentnick St in Ballina was a dangerous place for a postman.
Each day a magpie would wait at the corner for him to appear, then stalk him for several blocks.
"It would approach him from the front," Ms Barsony added.
"Normally they come from behind. The bird was actually going for his eyes."
You can avoid a magpie's ire.
If swooped, stay calm and move out of the bird's territory. Avoid returning to the area.
You should wear a big hat and carry an umbrella.
If attacked while you are on a bike, get off the bike.
Warn other people about magpie territories.
Sometimes feeding a bird for a short time has a good effect.
"It can be enough for the bird to realise you are not a threat," Ms Barsony said.
Most people love magpies but, as the 2009 nesting season winds up, police have again followed orders to shoot them.
At Ballina, in the far north of NSW, five magpies were destroyed during the nesting season.
Last year four birds were shot in the same location.
The power is used only as an absolute last resort if public safety is at risk, said bird co-ordinator Melanie Barsony, from the wildlife rescue organisation WIRES.
Posties are very vulnerable to magpie wrath in nesting season.
Last year the corner of Cherry St and Bentnick St in Ballina was a dangerous place for a postman.
Each day a magpie would wait at the corner for him to appear, then stalk him for several blocks.
"It would approach him from the front," Ms Barsony added.
"Normally they come from behind. The bird was actually going for his eyes."
You can avoid a magpie's ire.
If swooped, stay calm and move out of the bird's territory. Avoid returning to the area.
You should wear a big hat and carry an umbrella.
If attacked while you are on a bike, get off the bike.
Warn other people about magpie territories.
Sometimes feeding a bird for a short time has a good effect.
"It can be enough for the bird to realise you are not a threat," Ms Barsony said.