Forest Lake on High Alert as Magpie Swooping Season Peaks

Forest Lake residents are being advised to exercise caution as magpie swooping season hits its peak this month. Several incidents have already been reported in Brisbane since July.

Increase in Swooping Incidents

As Brisbane’s magpie swooping season intensifies, Forest Lake has emerged as one of the suburbs with a notable number of incidents. The breeding season, which runs from July to January, typically sees the most aggressive bird behavior in September.

So far in 2024, 149 swooping bird incidents have been reported, 68 of which occurred since the start of the season in July.

Brisbane officials have responded proactively to these incidents by installing more than 120 new warning signs across 36 suburbs, including Forest Lake, to alert residents of high-risk areas. Since introducing these highly visible warning signs in 2021, there has been a significant decrease in swooping reports across the city. Reports dropped from 1,193 in 2021 to 726 in 2022, and then to 571 in 2023.

Staying Safe During Swooping Season

Local authorities are urging Forest Lake residents to follow safety guidelines to protect themselves from potential magpie attacks. Recommended precautions include avoiding areas where birds are nesting, wearing hats or carrying umbrellas for protection, and not interacting with the birds or their nests. Cyclists are particularly advised to dismount and walk away if swooped upon to reduce the risk of injury.

The local community has been actively sharing information about aggressive birds on social media and encouraging others to report any incidents. This collective vigilance helps the Council respond swiftly with necessary measures, such as deploying high-visibility signs in areas known for swooping activity.

Suburbs with the highest reported swooping incidents year to date:

Greenslopes
Carseldine
New Farm
Bracken Ridge
Keperra
Camp Hill
Forest Lake
Sinnamon Park
Teneriffe
Calamvale
Bridgeman Downs
Upper Mount Gravatt

MAP ALERT

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has reiterated the Council’s dedication to ensuring public safety during this time.

“We encourage residents to report any swooping incidents so we can take action to protect the community. High-visibility signage and regular monitoring of these areas are key to reducing the risk of attacks,” he stated.

Published 4-Sept-2024