Comments on: A Further Word About the Australian Magpie http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 23 May 2012 16:15:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Doug Faunt http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-17296 Doug Faunt Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:04:28 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-17296 To riff off your mention of the Melbourne bike-sharing scheme and Australia's mandatory helmet law, it turns out the former is failing because of the latter. Who carries a helmet around in case they might want to use a bicycle? To riff off your mention of the Melbourne bike-sharing scheme and Australia’s mandatory helmet law, it turns out the former is failing because of the latter. Who carries a helmet around in case they might want to use a bicycle?

]]> By: Geniene Prater http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-17158 Geniene Prater Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:40:36 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-17158 yeah and the little blighters were hanging around the conference too ;) yeah and the little blighters were hanging around the conference too ;)

]]> By: townmouse http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-17028 townmouse Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:48:55 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-17028 @Brent - ah, cheers, I knew the internet would know! @Brent - ah, cheers, I knew the internet would know!

]]> By: Opus the Poet http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-16981 Opus the Poet Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:47:42 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-16981 I don't know how it would work with magpies, but for jays and grackles here in TX putting 2 large ANSI Safety Lime ovals on the back of my helmet with stickers made them quit buzzing me during nesting season. I don't know if it was the shape or the color or a combination of the two, but it worked. I don’t know how it would work with magpies, but for jays and grackles here in TX putting 2 large ANSI Safety Lime ovals on the back of my helmet with stickers made them quit buzzing me during nesting season. I don’t know if it was the shape or the color or a combination of the two, but it worked.

]]> By: Brent http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-16971 Brent Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:26:05 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-16971 @townmouse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4 @townmouse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4

]]> By: Matt http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-16961 Matt Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:19:35 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-16961 I got done 4 times in 2 weeks when living in Brisbane. They come from behind and got me on the cheek and the back of the war. I was bleeding each time. Little bastards. But I love their song especially at full moon. I got done 4 times in 2 weeks when living in Brisbane. They come from behind and got me on the cheek and the back of the war. I was bleeding each time. Little bastards. But I love their song especially at full moon.

]]> By: Richard Green http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-16959 Richard Green Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:34:56 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-16959 On my commute to university there was a Magpie who swooped me. Since I was always prepared it caused little harm, but I did turn it into a game. Since I rode west in the morning and east in the afternoon, I could always see its shadow before me as it snuck up from behind [unlike the mynahs who are far worse, magpies generally avoid you if you face them]. This allowed me to crouch against the handlebars and jerk my head up at the right moment so the bird would cop a face full of helmet. Every spring for four years. Stupid bird never learned. On my commute to university there was a Magpie who swooped me. Since I was always prepared it caused little harm, but I did turn it into a game. Since I rode west in the morning and east in the afternoon, I could always see its shadow before me as it snuck up from behind [unlike the mynahs who are far worse, magpies generally avoid you if you face them]. This allowed me to crouch against the handlebars and jerk my head up at the right moment so the bird would cop a face full of helmet.

Every spring for four years. Stupid bird never learned.

]]> By: Alex Turini http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-16945 Alex Turini Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:18:30 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-16945 Hi Tom, shame I missed the conference in Canberra! Was hoping to get my book signed. Never mind. Here is the video that townmouse was talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4 I also invite you to have a look at the-RiotACT. It is a Canberra based online forum. The Transport section is a very popular place for locals to rant. Have a browse, have a laugh, and by all means contribute something useful :-) http://the-riotact.com/?cat=4 Hi Tom, shame I missed the conference in Canberra! Was hoping to get my book signed. Never mind. Here is the video that townmouse was talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4

I also invite you to have a look at the-RiotACT. It is a Canberra based online forum. The Transport section is a very popular place for locals to rant. Have a browse, have a laugh, and by all means contribute something useful :-)

http://the-riotact.com/?cat=4

]]> By: townmouse http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/09/02/a-further-word-about-the-australian-magpie/#comment-16935 townmouse Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:53:07 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1627#comment-16935 I've lost track of the link (it was on Copenhagenize, but some time ago) but some Australians did a video about the magpies, showing how most of the tactics (eyes, fuzzy things etc.) did nothing to deter the birds, but taking off your helmet did. Of course, that's illegal in Australia, so you're stuck with the magpies. I’ve lost track of the link (it was on Copenhagenize, but some time ago) but some Australians did a video about the magpies, showing how most of the tactics (eyes, fuzzy things etc.) did nothing to deter the birds, but taking off your helmet did. Of course, that’s illegal in Australia, so you’re stuck with the magpies.

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