I experienced it once many years ago (in December I think) walking down Cohen Street in Belconnen. Something struck me on the back of the head without warning. My initial thought was that it was a magpie but when I turned around I saw a pee-wee flying off.
Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2013 14:15:03 +1100
From:
To:
CC:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] peewit problems
Hi Charmain,
It is reasonably rare, but not totally uncommon, that pee wees will swoop. It is a similar territorial thing to the swooping magpies.
Usually they are nesting within 50-100m and are just defending their territory. Given the rain we have had it is quite possible they are nesting now as there has been plenty of nest building mud around.
Suggest to your friend that she takes a longer walk to the bus and avoid that area until their chicks have fledged. Not hard to do and good exercise! If that is not possible the birds can be removed by the Urban Wildlife Rangers, but that is pretty drastic and we don't really want to prevent them from nesting.
regards,
marg
On Sat, Feb 2, 2013 at 12:45 PM, Charmian Lawson
<> wrote:
Good morning
A friend is having problems with peewees/magpie-larks. A few weeks ago one started following her as she walked to the bus. It flew low over her head but that was ok. Then another joined it, and now there are three and at least one of them has struck her on the head. She now has to wear a hat and sunglasses to avoid any injury from the bird/s.
Is this normal behaviour? We have had peewees nesting in our gum trees and living round us in our garden since we came to this house in 2003, and have never experienced any aggression from them.
Any comments/advice would be appreciated.
Charmian Lawson
Holder
--
Marg Peachey 0450 961 530
www.feathersandquills.com 