Beware Of Swooping Birds

Swooping birds can be a frightening experience, however not all native birds swoop to protect their eggs and young during breeding season. This information is designed to develop understanding about why native birds swoop, so we can more easily share our rural and urban environments with birds.

Being aware of swooping areas can also help us to avoid venturing into their territory and take extra precautions while they are protecting their nests and young. However, don't be concerned simply because there are magpies present.

Check our Magpie Map below for updates on swooping hotspots in your local area. To easily identify swooping birds, take a look at our Common swooping birds page, or check out our Flickr gallery. You can also download our 'Swoop Off' Kit, which contains a printable set of ‘eyes', a warning sign and a top 10 tips fact sheet.

Have you been swooped?
To add a swooping location, send us a message detailing where the birds are swooping and we'll add it to the map.

* Call: 136 186
* Email: swoop.vic@dse.vic.gov.au
* Twitter: Send a tweet to @dse_vic with the location details and #swoopvic
* Send in your photographs of swooping birds for us to add to our Swoop Flickr gallery. Email: swoop.vic@dse.vic.gov.au

Why they swoop

Like most animals, magpies and other swooping birds instinctively protect their territory, particularly during breeding time. They are protecting their nests, eggs or young from potential intruders. Most birds will swoop within 30-50 metres of their nest. Their territory may include your backyard, the park across the road or the local schoolyard. If they perceive you to be a potential threat, they may swoop. The likelihood of an attack is increased if they are teased or feel threatened in any way. For tips on how to protect yourself and avoid bird swooping, take a look at our Dealing with swooping birds page.

Birds use scare tactics

* Swooping is the most common defence behaviour. The birds aim to threaten or bluff and the intention is only to ward off intruders.
* Beak clacking is part of their defence strategy.
* In a strike attack, a magpie usually swoops, hovers momentarily and then strikes. The fluttering of wings as the bird hovers can be a warning to duck your head to avoid the attack.

Risks

Swooping birds can cause injuries. They usually attack with their beaks and aim for the scalp, face or eyes. If bike riders are swooped they could lose their balance, fall off, or ride into the path of cars. A bird swooping can be a frightening experience for children. Swooping birds can also spook horses.

Remember

Most birds swoop only during the nesting and rearing period. They are only trying to protect their territory, nests, eggs and young. Most swooping behaviour is a form of bluffing. Birds rarely make contact when swooping.

For more information

If you want more information about swooping birds please contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on telephone 136 186.

“We know we need to reduce our emissions, build resilient and sustainable communities, create jobs and put Victoria ahead of the curve as we move toward a low carbon economy,” Mr Herbert  said.

“This Act will provide the foundation for all of these important actions.”

The Climate Change Act 2010:

• Establishes the Government’s 20 per cent reduction target in law;

• Gives the EPA power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and ensures no new power stations using conventional brown coal technology are built in Victoria;
• A legal framework to encourage the reforestation of private and public land to create carbon sinks that can be a new source of income for landowners;
• Creates voluntary Climate Covenants for Government, community, industry and regional bodies to help them take the lead on climate change action;
• Embeds climate change impacts into a range of Government decisions;
• Enables the Climate Communities Program to further promote local action to tackle climate change; and,
• Requires a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to be developed every four years to prepare for the climate change impacts that cannot be avoided.

“It is disappointing that the National Emissions Trading Scheme was voted down in the federal Senate, but this doesn’t negate the need to take strong action on climate change,” Mr Herbert said.

“It is crucial that, in the absence of a national emissions scheme, we have state by state legislation, industry by industry action and community by community support.

“Victoria must take the lead by doing its part now to contribute to global efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

“I’m proud to say that the people of my electorate and Victorians generally have overwhelmingly accepted the scientific consensus on climate change and are demanding action to reduce our emissions.

“The community can be assured of Victoria’s progress toward our target by the requirement in the Act for Victoria’s emissions and climate science to be reported on every two years.

“The Brumby Labor Government is rising to the challenge of climate change, supporting new initiatives to cut emissions and creating a climate of opportunity,” Mr Herbert said.

For more information on the Climate Change Act 2010, please contact Steve Herbert’s office by phone on 9439 1500, or by email at steveherbertmp.com.au.

Press Release, Published: September 8, 2010

See the club web site for more details.

Premier John Brumby

Joining Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings at Upper Plenty Primary School to announce the 19 grant recipients, Mr Brumby said the projects were important in rebuilding bushfire affected communities.

“Rebuilding communities is vital to healing the environmental and emotional wounds in areas that were affected by bushfires. Restoring the environment helps communities by reconnecting people with the landscape they know and love,” Mr Brumby said.

“Landcare is a vital way Victorians can lend a hand to help improve and maintain their local environment for all Victorians to enjoy now and into the future.”

Mr Brumby said after the Black Saturday and Gippsland bushfires, Grocon cleaned up about 3000 properties, resulting in 11,650 tonnes of steel being collected and recycled from the four months of work.

“Under an innovative initiative, this metal was sold and the funds used for these grants. This program complemented the Victorian and Australian Government’s $193 million Rebuilding Together plan to help towns and communities recover,” he said.

“Projects funded include the planting of trees and plants here at Upper Plenty Primary School as well as vital work like restoring fencing and habitat management in Kinglake and revegetation projects in south west Goulburn.

“We will continue to support and stand by communities affected by Australia’s worst natural disaster and I congratulate Grocon, Community Recovery Committees, Landcare groups and local communities who volunteer their time and effort.”

Mr Brumby said that while these projects were important for bushfire communities, the Victorian Government recognised the important year-round environmental work by Landcare groups across Victoria.

“We understand the environment is important to all Victorians which is why this year we are committing more than $25.2 million to the Victorian Landcare Program over the next four years – $9.9 million of which was announced as part of Ready For Tomorrow – A Blueprint for Regional and Rural Victoria,” he said.

Mr Jennings said the Government was committed to working with communities to help improve the environment and was today launching a television and print advertising campaign themed: “If you are going to give anything, give a hand to Landcare.”

“For the past 24 years, Victorian Landcare members have volunteered their time to protect and enhance the Victorian environment and we want as many new people as possible to help them continue to make a real difference in their local areas,” Mr Jennings said.

“The Landcare advertising campaign and Landcare Week show how it is a great time to join a group and help protect and preserve our important natural assets.

“Everyone can make a difference to our environment and I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this important community movement. There are more than 1300 Landcare groups across the state so there is bound to be one you can join in your local area.”

Landcare Week runs from 6-13 September to highlight the important role the Landcare movement. The Landcare television ad can be viewed at www.youtube.com/dsevictoria

RECYCLING FOR RECOVERY GRANTS RECIPIENTS

- Lismore Land Protection Group & Weerite Landcare Group – Weerite perennial landscape recovery project - $30,000
- Upper Goulburn Landcare Network – Managing Pest Plants and Animals on Private Land - $146,000
- Upper Goulburn Landcare Network – Managing Your Patch of Bush - $100,000
- Upper Goulburn Landcare Network – Fencers Without Boundaries - $109,000
- Upper Goulburn Landcare Network – The Lorax Project - $144,000
- Kinglake Landcare Group – Habitat Management & Property Planning in the Kinglake Ranges - $85,700
- South West Goulburn Landcare – Recycling for Recovery Volunteer Coordinator - $100,000
- South West Goulburn Landcare – Revegetation Projects - $90,000
- South West Goulburn Landcare – Targeted Weed Control - $90,000
- Redesdale Fire Communtiy Recovery Committee Land Management Committee – Developing a Plan to Restore our Land and Community - $43,000
- Mudgegonga Landcare Group – Ovens and Kiewa Landscape restoration Project - $113,000
- Nillumbik Shire on behalf of Nillumbik Natural Environment Recovery Working Group – Implementation of Community Environment Recovery Action Plans - $78,000
- Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges Landcare Network – Landcare Program for Bushfire Affected Communities in Yarra Valley - $64,000
- Westernport Catchment Landcare Network a subsidiary of Cardinia Environment Coalition Inc – Enhancing landscapes for community recovery - $113,000
- Whittlesea Shire Council on behalf of Whittlesea Agricultural Society Landcare Group – Enhancing landscapes for community recovery - $20,000
- Upper Merri Plenty Landcare Group – Reconnecting the community back to the environment - $5000
- Yarram Yarram Landcare Network – Local Landcare Fire Recovery - Yarram and Districts - $86,000
- Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network – Central Latrobe Bushfire Recycle Recovery Project - $86,000
- Wimmera River Improvement Committee – Wimmera River Community Recovery Project - $30,000.

Tony Robinson MP

Source: Tony Robinson MP

Tony Robinson MP

Mr Robinson said shoppers had every right to return a product if:
• it is faulty and the buyer did not know about the fault when they purchased it;
• the item does not do the job the buyer was told it would do; or
• if the item does not match the description or sample the buyer was shown.

While a business may offer to repair, exchange or provide a credit note instead of a refund, the buyer has the right to demand a refund if the product does not meet the conditions of purchase.

“The Brumby Labor Government is standing up for Victorian consumers by making sure they aren’t left out of pocket by enforcing fair and clear laws on refunds,” he said.

“Remember, shops don’t have to refund your money if you have simply changed your mind or found the same item cheaper elsewhere.

“Also, hang on to receipts as stores do not have to provide a refund if you cannot provide proof of purchase.”

When consumers return a product for a refund they should:
• report the fault and return the goods within a reasonable timeframe (what is reasonable will vary according to price and the way the goods were described);
• provide details of the fault and the chosen remedy;
• provide proof of purchase; and
• stop using faulty goods until they can be returned.

Last year, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) received almost 13,000 enquiries and over 3,400 complaints concerning refunds.

Mr Robinson said gift vouchers and gift cards could be a potential source of confusion for consumers, with more than 165 enquiries and around 40 complaints in the last financial year.

“Gift vouchers are a great gift idea, but before you buy or use one, check the terms and conditions so you know how long you have before it expires and how it can be redeemed,” he said.

For more information about refunds and gift vouchers, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81 or visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au

Source: Tony Robinson MP

Justin Madden MLC

Mr Madden said the funding would enable strategic planning for green wedges including identifying features and values to be protected, objectives and actions for sustainable management, education programs and grants for councils to help landholders and community groups with land management.

“Melbourne’s green wedges and hinterland are a vital part of ensuring our city is sustainable and retains the natural environment we all enjoy,” Mr Madden said.

“Green wedges contain rural landscapes, conservation areas and cultural heritage sites as well as important natural resources and agriculture.

“The Brumby Labor Government remains committed to protecting and enhancing these natural assets to ensure they are preserved for future generations.

“Despite the expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary, 93 per cent of green wedge land remains protected.

“Now that the Urban Growth Boundary has been revised councils can progress and finalise their green wedge management plans with certainty as to what land will be developed and what will be kept as green wedge.”

Mr Madden said today’s funding included:
•    $1.3 million to strengthen green wedge policy and delivery, and to help councils develop, update and implement their green wedge management plans;
•    $400,000 in grants for councils with completed green wedge management plans to implement those plans. Councils will be invited to apply for that funding;
•    $200,000 for a campaign to work with local landholders, business and the community to promote, educate and encourage support for Melbourne’s green wedges;
•    $220,000 to monitor and report on the condition of the green wedges;
•    $215,000 to review and implement green wedge planning provisions ensuring planning controls deliver the intent of the planning policy; and
•    $165,000 to develop a long-term statewide strategic vision to identify green wedge assets and opportunities and ensure land is managed sustainably.

Mr Madden said some of Melbourne’s most significant public infrastructure was located in green wedge areas.

“The Hinterland of Melbourne and green wedges play an increasingly important role for recreation, tourism, agriculture, and protection of our natural and cultural environment,” he said.

“While recent changes to the Urban Growth Boundary were necessary to free up land and accommodate growth it is also vital to retain our green wedges and enhance their value.”

For further information please visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning.

Source: The Minister for Planning

Eltham Rugby Union Football Club

Eltham will meet their old rival Melton in the Victorian Rugby Union, 2nd Division, B Grade preliminary final.
The game kicks off at 12.10 pm @ the Harlequins Rugby Club this Saturday.

Holmesglen Reserve, Melways M60:H12.. In Ashwood.. Cnr Power Ave and Warrigal Road.