With spring fast approaching many of us will soon begin to increase how often we hit the pavement to get our exercise fix.
Walkers, runners and bike riders alike will be counting down the days until daylight savings, when the extra length in the day will allow us all some more time to enjoy getting out into nature.
But it is timely to remind people that with the change in seasons comes the need to be mindful of our surroundings.
Breeding season for swooping native birds has now begun and it is anticipated to continue until the middle of November.
Many native birds, such as masked lapwings (also known as spur-winged plovers) and magpies, swoop to protect their eggs and young during breeding season.
So I urge you all to take extra precautions when outdoors during this period, as these birds can be present across both urban and rural areas.
Lookout Reserve in Ocean Grove is an annual magpie swooping hotspot and in some years they have also swooped along The Terrace and Presidents Avenue.
The positive thing to note is that only a very small number – approximately 10 per cent – of these birds exhibit swooping behaviours, and it is rare for a bird to cause injury.
However, you can help to minimise the risk of being swooped by avoiding, if possible, nesting areas where birds are swooping, protecting your head and your eyes, and moving through an area a swooping bird is present at a quick pace.
It is also worth reminding everybody that all native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, so harming or scaring swooping birds, or interfering with their nests, is prohibited.
One of the reasons native birds are afforded this protection is because they are such a vital component of our natural environment and we must play our role in ensuring their safety.
If you encounter swooping birds on City-managed land I encourage you to report it by calling the City on 5272 5272.
The behaviour of the bird will be assessed and, if necessary, appropriate warning signs will be placed at the site.
We can all play a part in keeping everyone, including our native birds, safe.
