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mfw
Scuffed
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Out of breath in the port hills
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 Posted: Sun 7th Sep 3:16pm Post subject: Magpie Attack! |
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Freakin bloody magpies, got attacked on the Christchurch-Akaroa highway between Tai Tapu and Motkarara around 7:30am this morning, the pesky thing dive bombed me for ages and didn't want to give up!
Have heard about them but this is my first attack - have to get myself a pair of fake eyes to my helmet - is that the best defence? ... or a shotgun 
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kcids-naughty-account
Flogged
Joined: Jan 07, 2008
Posts: 2,255
Location: YE BOI
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| Posted: Sun 7th Sep 3:40pm Post subject: |
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wrap a steel pipe in tinfoil.
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ashesman
Worn
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 560
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| Posted: Sun 7th Sep 11:00pm Post subject: |
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Take a tennis racket with you and when they swoop .. WHAMO!!! At least they only attack roadies (I hope)!!!
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xcmtb
Flogged
Joined: Aug 01, 2007
Posts: 2,581
Location: Gangstaville (Manurewa)
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| Posted: Sun 7th Sep 11:47pm Post subject: |
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Harden up maybe...
Cheers to the delete button ot these posts for when I need to complain about being attacked...
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FST4RD
Scuffed
Joined: Mar 14, 2007
Posts: 336
Location: Christchurch
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| Posted: Mon 8th Sep 7:37am Post subject: |
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Last time I biked up to greta valley one would swoop down from the powerlines and dive bomb me... got real hacked off after a while so after it dive bombed me and went back up to the lines to sit and wait I stopped, grabbed a rock from the side of the road and hiffed it at the stupid bird and got it! Kinda flew off and didn't get bothered after that.
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Trail
Worn
Joined: Aug 15, 2008
Posts: 986
Location: Chch
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| Posted: Mon 8th Sep 9:23am Post subject: |
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| FST4RD wrote: | | Last time I biked up to greta valley one would swoop down from the powerlines and dive bomb me... got real hacked off after a while so after it dive bombed me and went back up to the lines to sit and wait I stopped, grabbed a rock from the side of the road and hiffed it at the stupid bird and got it! Kinda flew off and didn't get bothered after that. |
Shot! Nice throwing that man!
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mfw
Scuffed
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Out of breath in the port hills
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| Posted: Mon 8th Sep 10:13am Post subject: |
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Found this on an aussie site:
Why magpies attack:
The magpie nesting season is from early August to late November in Queensland. During this time, male magpies will defend their territory.
Most magpies defend against real predators (such as cats and larger birds) but about eight per cent attack cyclists and pedestrians. Research reveals most of this eight per cent have suffered a bad experience with humans, such as someone interfering with the nest or throwing rocks.
How magpies attack
* Magpies tend to swoop from behind, often from the direction of the sun, so an approaching shadow can be a warning.
* They usually sound a specific and recognisable squawk as they attack and some also clack their beak.
* Many make warning swoops and deliberately miss while some will make contact.
* Birds that make contact usually target the head but learn not to attack helmets so they perform a side swoop attacking ears, cheeks and even eyes.
Response:
* In an actual attack, dismount to avoid danger from traffic or from a fall—more people are hurt falling from their bike during a magpie attack than by the bird itself.
* Once you have dismounted, look the bird directly in the eye—magpies usually won't attack when you are watching them.
* Other strategies can be to wave your arm above your head and shout to confuse and warn the magpie off.
* To avoid attack in the first place, an orange bike flag on a long stick can warn a magpie off. Painting eyes on your helmet is not very effective as magpies have strong eyesight and can learn the difference between painted and real eyes.
Magpies have a fairly small territory so it is usually possible to travel an alternative route during the swooping season.
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FST4RD
Scuffed
Joined: Mar 14, 2007
Posts: 336
Location: Christchurch
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| Posted: Mon 8th Sep 5:29pm Post subject: |
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| Trail wrote: | | FST4RD wrote: | | Last time I biked up to greta valley one would swoop down from the powerlines and dive bomb me... got real hacked off after a while so after it dive bombed me and went back up to the lines to sit and wait I stopped, grabbed a rock from the side of the road and hiffed it at the stupid bird and got it! Kinda flew off and didn't get bothered after that. |
Shot! Nice throwing that man! |
Pure luck more then anything! lol
And thats crazy about Magpies... blasted birds! 
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rochie
Scuffed
Joined: Oct 02, 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Rubber side down
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| Posted: Tue 16th Sep 11:55am Post subject: |
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A few magpies out on Chattertons Rd this am. One went for me. Saw its shadow on the road so I was expecting it. After it bounced off the back of my helmet a few times I got bored so I waved my arms a bit and it flew away. Thats all really.
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rochie
Scuffed
Joined: Oct 02, 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Rubber side down
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| Posted: Tue 23rd Sep 11:49am Post subject: |
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That same frikkin' bird is still there on Chattertons Rd - pinged me again this morning!
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mfw
Scuffed
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Out of breath in the port hills
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| Posted: Tue 23rd Sep 12:36pm Post subject: |
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| rochie wrote: | | That same frikkin' bird is still there on Chattertons Rd - pinged me again this morning! |
Time to take matters into your own hands?
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serkat
Dusty
Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 111
Location: North Canterbury
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| Posted: Wed 24th Sep 8:42am Post subject: |
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| ashesman wrote: | | Take a tennis racket with you and when they swoop .. WHAMO!!! At least they only attack roadies (I hope)!!! |
Sorry to disappoint you.....lol! In some cases you're better off on the roadie bike - you enter and leave their territory a little faster. Then you get to the next blighter a little sooner....  I have two brothers who live and mtb in Oz....they have been getting attacked for the last month already, and they are more ferocious than the ones here.
A pair of longish zip-cable ties attached to the helmet and left uncut standing like a pair of ears does the trick I hear but I haven't tried it yet.
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neels
Slightly below average
Joined: Sep 05, 2007
Posts: 1,183
Location: Waiting for the great leap forward
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| Posted: Wed 24th Sep 8:47am Post subject: |
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| serkat wrote: | | A pair of longish zip-cable ties attached to the helmet and left uncut standing like a pair of ears does the trick I hear but I haven't tried it yet. |
I saw a couple of guys with those on their helmets on the hills in the weekend, I wondered what the hell they were for.
I wonder if it works.
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serkat
Dusty
Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 111
Location: North Canterbury
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| Posted: Wed 24th Sep 8:57am Post subject: |
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I guess anything is worth a try, I'm going to give it a go as I trundle out towards Oxford and there are plenty of nesting sites (macrocarpa shelter belts!) near the road up there. The first swoop is the worst - after that you just have to expect a few more. And all they are doing is protecting their territory - and testing our wits! 
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Fergie
Wrecked
Joined: Jun 04, 2006
Posts: 4,968
Location: Taking up a lot of the cycle lane on a street near you!
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| Posted: Wed 24th Sep 9:09am Post subject: |
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Would a LED flashing light on the rear serve as a deterrent?
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