Hi Philip,
I agree and can also recommend this book on Maggie attacks. Until I read it, I
thought my only defence towards marauding Maggies attacking me on my pushbike
was a helmet and a tennis racquet :-) Did I just say that?
I'm not sure if it mentions any predilection towards a particular side of your
face but it does say a lot about some Maggies attacking cyclists as opposed to
walkers etc. It was quite an amusing read.
Cheers,
Inger
Inger Vandyke
Natural History Writer and Photographer
Publicity Officer - Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association (SOSSA)
Mob: 0402 286 437
www.ingervandyke.com
> From:
> To: ;
> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:31:56 +1000
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Magpie attacks; check out the book "Magpie
> Alert" by Darryl Jones
>
> Please check out the book "Magpie Alert" by Darryl Jones, UNSW Press
> 2002, ISBN 0-86840-668-6. That explores all these issues. It is good,
> apart from a moderate sprinkling of small editing errors. I did a review
> of it in Canberra Bird Notes.
>
> Philip Veerman
> 24 Castley Circuit
> Kambah ACT 2902
>
> 02 - 62314041
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Peter Adderley
> Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 11:25 PM
> To:
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Magpie attacks
>
>
> May I say that magpies are far more intelligent than they seem, and have
>
> very long memories.
> When I was school kid I remember being swooped upon by maggies and
> became a little nervous at this time of the year.
> It can be intimidating but remember just who's invading who's territory?
>
> Over the years I have learned that magpies get to know you, despite long
>
> absences. I raised one once and it was a life-changing experience.
> Particularly because I had to teach the little bugger to fly. But that
> was 35 years ago. (and I no longer fly ;-) )
>
> I was surprised a few weeks ago when a magpie landed on my veranda, no
> more than a metre from my computer and looked expectantly at me with one
>
> foot tucked under.
> It would have been two or three years since I fed a magpie, but he
> certainly knew who I was. He was polite but his agenda was quite
> obvious. As he(or she) is bringing up chicks how can you possible refuse
> such a
> personal approach?
>
> I guess my point is this: despite many trees that harbour magpie nests I
>
> can walk the local streets with total impunity, because the maggies all
> know me.
> I don't think this is just hopeful imagination. And I remain honoured to
>
> be part of their extended community, even as a humble human.
>
> As for the left-handedness of Magpies, it only goes to show the artistic
>
> nature of the bird. I mean, how would you be, born with an alto-clarinet
>
> in your gizzard? ;-)
>
> Cheers,
> Peter
>
> Scot Mcphee wrote:
>> My wife got attacked four times by a particularly vicious one that
>> used to be in Milton. All on the right. Drew blood - quite a bit of
>> it. That little bugger got me one, smack on the right cheek. Also drew
>
>> blood.
>>
>> regs
>> scot
>>
>> 2009/8/17 Brian Johnson <>:
>>
>>> Hi. Yesterday, a group of us were riding our bikes and doing a bit of
>
>>> birdwatching. One of our group made us aware of a particularly nasty
>>> male magpie attacking on the track crossing Bribie Island. The claim
>>> was made that "all magpies attacking from behind then try to peck the
>
>>> left side of the face/ear etc" because bike riders are wearing
>>> helmets and the magpie can't inflict any damage there. An interesting
>
>>> conversation then occurred about past experiences with magpies. We
>>> are wondering if others have noticed a magpies' preference for the
>>> left. Any studies?? Any ideas?? Brian www.birding-aus.org
>>> birding-aus.blogspot.com
>
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