Snakes and Magpies

Snakes

Australia is home to approximately 140 species of land snakes. Some 100 Australian snakes are venomous, although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you.

Snakes are not naturally aggressive and always prefer to retreat. They will only attack humans if hurt or provoked and most bites occur when people try to kill or capture snakes. If you come across a snake in the bush, just calmly walk the other way.

If you find a snake in your home or garden and would like it removed, contact your nearest snake catcher on the reptile handler list . Do not try and capture or kill the snake. All snakes in NSW are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and penalties apply for harming these species.

For more information on snakes, please visit the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/native-animal-facts/snakes.

Swooping Magpies

For most of the year magpies are not aggressive, but for 4 to 6 weeks during nesting they will often defend their territory vigorously. People walking past may be seen as ‘invaders’ of the territory, prompting the magpies to fly low and fast over the person, clacking their bills as they pass overhead.

The experience of a magpie attack can be quite alarming, but it is usually only a warning. Only occasionally will a bird actually strike the intruder on the head with its beak or claws. If this unusual behaviour persists, there are ways of reducing the risk of physical injury to humans.

If a magpie swoops at you:

• Walk quickly and carefully away from the area, and avoid walking there when magpies are swooping.
• Make a temporary sign to warn other people.
• Try to keep an eye on the magpie while walking carefully away. Magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them. Alternatively, you can draw or sew a pair of eyes onto the back of a hat, and wear it when walking through the area. You can also try wearing your sunglasses on the back of your head.
• Wear a bicycle or skateboard helmet. Any sort of hat, even a hat made from an ice cream container or cardboard box, will help protect you.
• Carry an open umbrella, or a stick or small branch, above your head but do not swing it at the magpie, as this will only provoke it to attack.
• If you are riding a bicycle, get off it and wheel it quickly through the area. Your bicycle helmet will protect your head, and you can attach a tall red safety flag to your bicycle or hold a stick or branch as a deterrent.

Magpies are protected throughout NSW, and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect their eggs, or harm their young. If you feel a magpie is a serious menace, it should be reported to your Council or the Bathurst NPWS office on 02 6332 7640.