Swooping Season - Australian Magpie

When they warble in a gum tree,
graze for grubs amongst the grass,
if you’re walking down a path,
they will always let you pass.

But once there’s spring in the air,
there’s no need for an excuse,
walk into their territory,
hell’s certain to break loose.

Some will scream and try to run;
Some will treat it as good fun;
Some want to shoot every one,
when magpie swooping season has begun.

The Old Man goes to any lengths,
to protect his latest brood.
He changes from a friendly bird,
to one with a filthy mood.

He’s a dive bomber from behind;
targets the unsuspecting head.
The snapping beak is all that’s heard,
before there’s cursing said.

Some will scream and try to run;
Some will treat it as good fun;
Some want to shoot every one,
when magpie swooping season has begun.

Australian magpie - black and white;
territorial - up for the fight,
when magpie swooping season has begun.
With chicks thriving in the nest,
there’s not a single welcome guest,
when magpie swooping season has begun.
I advise you all use common sense
to take a brolly for defence,
when magpie swooping season has begun.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



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Date: 10/14/2019 10:50:00 PM
I love a true story, you creamed it here. I bribe them during the year with meal worms, it pays off. Same with Plovers, everyone else gets bombed. They come over to me, "Yo Man". Then again been retired 30 years, so have the time.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 10/18/2019 10:46:00 PM
Oh plovers; yes, but the maggie is a ripper for protecting its territory. Then again, maggies are quite easily befriended and don't take a backward step. Close to me, two drove a wedge tailed eagle close to me. I think the eagle wanted me to protect it, and it appeared many times larger than the maggies - thank you Warren - Lindsay
Date: 9/12/2019 8:43:00 AM
I'm loving the reading of your poems and sense of humor. My boyfriend is the kind that would like to shoot everyone except he's too kind. Jeanne
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/12/2019 6:27:00 PM
Hello Jeanne … I'm pleased believe me, that you enjoy my poems and the silliness in many. I don't go as far as your boyfriend, but what gets on my goat are car thieves. I'm always ranting about locking them up and throwing away the key - thanks again Jeanne - Lindsay
Date: 9/10/2019 1:26:00 PM
i have seen the same things from mockingbirds. Two nearly pecked my last cat's tail off; it was showing bone!
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/12/2019 6:21:00 PM
Hello M. L. … yes, I think wherever we live during breeding time, many species of birds drive off intruders, be them human, animal, or other birds - thanks M. L. - Lindsay
Date: 9/8/2019 11:14:00 AM
Your observation proves they really can be angry birds Lindsay:-) hugs Jan xx
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/12/2019 6:17:00 PM
G'day Jan … how are you going? Usually when these magpies are angry, observation comes too late - catch you soon Jan - Lindsay
Date: 9/7/2019 11:17:00 PM
This is a awesome write. I enjoyed reading it a lot and it taught me something of the birds you write of. Many blessings and happy writing.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/12/2019 6:15:00 PM
Hello Regina … thank you so much for reading and commenting. I love having magpies in our yard and they can be quite friendly out of breeding time - catch you soon Regina - Lindsay
Date: 9/7/2019 2:02:00 PM
I'm sure a brolly is good advise when Magpie swooping season has begun. Love your Australian input on Poetry Soup, i compare Australia a great deal to South Africa - love the outdoors as i understand you do also Lindsay. Hugs, Jennifer.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:31:00 PM
Hello Jennifer … yes there is a great affinity between South Africa and Australia in many ways except any native carnivores are rarely seen down south - thanks for your comment Jennifer - Lindsay
Date: 9/7/2019 10:33:00 AM
they sound very territorial. We had swallows once and it was so neat seeing them swooping around. We were too curious about them and tried to see their nest just a bit up on our garage. They did not return next year. I really like this, Lindsay.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:28:00 PM
Thank you Andrea for your interesting comment. Many here don't appreciate swallows. They make mud nests under house eaves and make a mess. Swallows are great to watch flying about. Magpies are also great outside nesting season - thank you Andrea - Lindsay
Date: 9/6/2019 8:48:00 PM
This is very well-written and descriptive--informative too, Lindsay. Janice
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:24:00 PM
Hello Janice … thank you for reading and putting up a lovely comment. I'm sure you have birds that are very protective also - Lindsay
Date: 9/6/2019 7:31:00 AM
This is interesting and written so well to show what they can be like! What is a brolly?
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:22:00 PM
Hello Heidi … a brolly is an umbrella Heidi. Thank you for your positive comment. I appreciate this - Lindsay
Date: 9/5/2019 12:27:00 PM
I won't mess around with the old magpie! Thanks for your kind words and take a look at my latest if you feel like it. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:20:00 PM
G'day Matthew … for most of the year, urban magpies are placid to humans. I have seen them driving eagles off, and they'll gladly visit backyards and scrounge for food. I will certainly visit your site Matthew - Lindsay
Date: 9/3/2019 6:34:00 PM
Isn't it awesome how they can fly between the corks hanging from one's hat? Aloha! Rico
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:16:00 PM
G'day Rico … you put a giggle on my face. Nothing seems to deter these angry birds, so a few corks are only a light hindrance - catch you soon Rico - Lindsay
Date: 9/3/2019 3:00:00 AM
Parents turn into killers to protect their young. Like this one Lindsay, a touch of Hitchcock. Tom
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:13:00 PM
G'day Tom … the difference to Hitchcock Tom is, these magpie cock birds act solo and attack from behind. They can be relentless - thanks again Tom - Lindsay
Date: 9/2/2019 10:03:00 PM
It's the same in Saskatoon. There are some real birds with attitude around here. Great poem. Have a good day my friend.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:10:00 PM
Hello David … my word David. Swans and spur winged are another two, but you be close to their nest. Magpies have a large area that they protect - thanks for commenting David - Lindsay
Date: 9/2/2019 7:43:00 PM
Now I know why some umbrellas have sharp, pointed tips! And thanks to you, now I know what a 'brolly' is, as well as magpie swooping season. Thanks, Lindsay. ~ Gershon
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 9/7/2019 8:08:00 PM
Thank you Gershon … I'm sure there are many other species of protective parent birds, but these magpies can be vicious to the extent, that there is an app to show where they are - catch you soon Gershon - Lindsay
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