Living With Wildlife
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Flying-foxes are winged mammals that feed on the nectar, pollen and fruit from a variety of native and introduced plants. As such, they play an important role in flower pollination and long-distance seed dispersal. These social animals roost in camps that are important resting places, along with mating and the rearing of young.
For more information on Flying-Foxes click here.
Council's role in management
Council monitors flying-fox numbers at known roosts in the region throughout the year to maintain an understanding of flying-fox roost impacts to the community.
Council adopts a balanced approach to flying-fox roost management that recognises the well-being of residents and the need for responsible management of wildlife. Council provides regional leadership for management of flying-fox roosts on Council managed lands and has developed a regional flying-fox management plan which articulates Councils management position on flying-fox roosts.
The Queensland Government regulates the management of flying-fox roosts under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 with all land managers bound to the Code of Practice - Ecologically sustainable management of flying-fox roosts.
To read Council's Regional Flying-Fox Management Plan click here.
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The Australian magpie is a medium size black and white bird known for being highly protective of their nests and are often found to ‘swoop’ passers-by during their breeding season. As a protected native species and one of Australia’s most common birds, it is illegal to harm magpies – so it’s important that we can co-exist peacefully with them in our cities, suburbs and towns.
Where do they live?
Magpies adapt well to open, cleared environments and thrive in locations that have a combination of large tracts of lawn for foraging, scattered trees for nesting and protection, and water.
When is swooping a problem?
Between July to November each year, this is when magpies build their nests and raise their young in a limited area known as a territory. Aggressive behaviour towards passers-by usually occurs within 100 metres of the tree containing the nest and only occurs when chicks are present.
Why do magpies swoop?
Historically, magpies targeted animals like snakes, goannas and cats as they were seen as the biggest threat. But as they’ve moved into busier, more suburban areas they’ve added humans to the list of potential threats. So if you’ve had a maggie swoop you, don’t take it personally — like us they’re just trying to protect their family.
What to do?
- If you do get swooped, try to stay calm.
- Move quickly and safely out of the area and don’t try to scare away or fight the bird. Magpies are very intelligent and can recognise faces, you don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons!
- To magpies if you run away screaming with arms flailing, this confirms you’re a threat that needs swooping.
What’s the best way to avoid a swoop?
There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of a maggie attack, here are a few tips from the Queensland government:
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face. You can even try spiking helmets with cable ties!
- Wave sticks or umbrellas in the air to look bigger and make them swoop high.
- Magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group.
- Avoid ‘defence zones’ by taking alternative routes during the breeding season.
- Don’t fight back if a magpie swoops. Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie are likely to make it more aggressive
- Never approach a young magpie. Babies that have just left the nest or have fallen out are likely to be under the watchful eye of a parent. If you pick them up or get too close the parent bird may think you are a possible predator
- If you are swooped, do not crouch in fear, or stop. Move on quickly but don’t run.
- Cyclists should dismount their bikes and walk away as the birds respond to fast movement.
- Respect magpies nesting areas by steering clear of all nests, eggs and fledging’s.
For more information on living with magpies, visit Stay safe from swooping magpies | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au).
How to report a Magpie Swooping
Council encourages its residents to report problem areas within townships and will aim to erect warning signs near swooping zones for community awareness if required.
To report a problem area, please contact council customer service team on 1300 007 662.
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When some species of native birds have eggs or young in the nest, they can become protective and may swoop people entering their nesting territory. The breeding season for most swooping birds is July to November, peaking between August to October. Native species most commonly known to swoop includes magpies, plovers, crows and butcherbirds. It is a serious offence to harm or interfere with native Australian birds, as they are protected under Nature Conservation Act 1992.
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Snakes play an important role in natural environments, helping to regulate populations of prey animals and maintain healthy ecosystems. All snakes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and cannot be killed or taken from the wild, unless by a licensed snake catcher.
Land clearing and urban development has led to an increase in snake encounters. You can minimise the likelihood of encounters by making your home and backyard an unsuitable snake environment by keeping your yard free of timber and debris, lawn at a low height and your windows and doors screened.
When outdoors, protect yourself from snakes by wearing covered shoes and long pants, stick to formed paths and carry a snake-bite kit. When left alone, snakes pose very little danger to people; most snake bites are received by people who try to capture or kill a snake.
More information can be found on the Department of Environment and Science or by phoning 1300 130 372.
Contact details for a local organisation that provides this service is listed below:
Swans Reptile Relocation
Servicing Roma and surrounding areas in Southwest Queensland.
Call: 0455 624 177
Email: swanreptilerelocation@gmail.com -
In their natural environment, possums usually live in tree hollows but with the loss of native bushland many of these natural homes have been destroyed. Being highly territorial, possums do not relocate easily and so they sometimes seek safe shelter in your roof. Under Qld legislation a possum can be trapped if the person has a damage mitigation permit to remove and relocate the possum, however a trapped possum must only be moved a maximum of 25m.
Please note: Council does not issue cat traps for the purpose of trapping possums. Possums are a protected native animal and a permit is required for trapping.
For more information about living with possums, please contact the Department of Environment and Science on 1300 130 372.
Contact details for a local organisation that provides this service is listed below:
BooBook Ecotours
15 Quintin Street, Roma, QLD 4455
07 4622 2646
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The Crow is a native Australian bird that plays an important role in natural pest control, preying on insects and mice around crops, woodlands and suburban gardens. Crows also help to remove roadkill and disperse native seeds.
The availability of food scraps in residential areas can sometimes encourage crows to become dependent on artificial food sources, which may increase their numbers unnaturally and create a nuisance.
Take the following measures to ensure noisy crows don't become an issue in your area:
- Ensure garbage bin lids are kept closed and not overflowing with rubbish
- Do not feed crows or leave scraps of food or rubbish lying around
- Remove pet food from backyards
- Be understanding of increased noise during the breeding season, between August and February.
Remember crows are protected under state legislation and it is illegal to harm or kill crows or interfere with their nests or eggs.