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Swooping birds
Noisy crows
Flying-foxes
Snakes
Possums
Itchy Grubs
Turtle nesting
Central Queensland Fox Control Project

Swooping birds

The Gladstone Region is home to a diverse variety of native bird species.  When native bird species have eggs or young in their nest, a small percentage can become protective and may swoop people entering their nesting territory. Conversely, other species are opportunistic and may swoop for a regular food source or by inadvertently by attacking their own reflections.  The breeding season for most swooping birds is July to November, peaking between August to October. Typically, individual birds swoop for between six and eight weeks and generally stop following the departure of their young from their nest.

The native species most commonly known to swoop include:

  • Australian Magpies
  • Masked Lapwing (Plover) 
  • Butcherbirds
  • Torresian Crows
  • Magpie-Lark (Peewee)
  • Little Friarbird
  • Noisy Miner
  • Welcome Swallows
  • Kookaburras

It is a serious offence to harm or interfere with native Australian birds, as they are protected under State Wildlife Legislation (Nature Conservation Act 1992). As such, it is a serious offence to harm, take, keep or move them, unless authorised under the NCA or a Damage Mitigation Permit (DMP) is obtained for a relocation to be conducted by an authorised person or local authority. Hefty fines can be imposed on anyone found to be in contravention of the Act.

Native species are protected for many reasons:

  • They prey on small insects such as mosquitoes and midges
  • They contribute to the agriculture and gardens in some areas as they feed on pest insects
  • They contribute to and are necessary for maintaining biodiversity.

Swooping typically occurs during breeding season. Research suggests aggressive swooping occurs when the birds have had previous negative interactions with humans for example stones or sticks thrown at them, their chicks or nests. 

The best way to avoid being swooped is to:

  • Avoid the area by finding an alternative route by consulting the Gladstone Regional Council Swooping Birds Map  or https://www.magpiealert.com/
  • Protect yourself by wearing a broad brimmed hat or using an umbrella, glasses and by holding your school bag above your head
  • Team up with others and walk in a group
  • Dismount and walk if you are riding your bike and attach a flag on a long pole to your bike
  • Do not interfere with the birds, their young or their nests
  • Do not provoke the swooping bird by yelling, throwing objects or fighting back
  • Report swooping birds to Council

Council manages swooping birds by providing community awareness, information, undertaking swooping bird assessments and implementing an appropriate response on Council controlled land.

Relocation and removal

When swooping birds are required to be relocated a new male typically moves in within a short period of time to protect the chicks. Therefore, relocation of an aggressive male may only be a short term solution and actually may prolong the duration of territorial behaviour.

Where an aggressive magpie is required to be relocated, the bird needs to be captured and released at least 50km away to prevent the animal from returning to its original territory.

As crows are highly intelligent, it is impractical and near impossible to trap a crow. Additionally, research shows that attempts to move crows (such as nest relocation) often increases aggression, and the pair more-often-than-not will return to their original breeding area.

Living with Magpies 

Swooping bird hotspot webmap

This map is provided for the community to identify and view swooping bird locations. Council does not monitor points and information added to the map. To report a swooping bird for investigation please report online.

How to change the map to satellite imagery:

  1. Click the Icon layers button at the top left of the page, under the search bar. This will open the map layers.
  2. Click the check-box/es that say “GladstoneArea2021”, “AgnesArea2020, or “Whole Region 2017” (please note; enabling satellite imagery may take longer to load the map)

How to add a swooping bird point:

  1. Navigate to the area which you have seen a bird swooping. You may do this by manually clicking and dragging the map, or by entering the address where the bird was seen, into the search bar at the top-left of the page.
  2. Click the Icon edit button at the top left of the page, under the search bar. This will open the map editing tool.
  3. Click the Icon swooping birds button within the tool that opens, so that it highlights blue.
  4. Click on the map to drop a point, for where you observed a swooping bird.
  5. A set of brief questions will pop up as you place a point, including what happened (please include the species of bird that was swooping), and the date and time of day you saw the swooping.

View webmap in browser

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I protect my children?

By ensuring your children are wearing appropriate headwear (helmets, hats, umbrella), eyewear (glasses, sunglasses) and clothing.When riding a bike it has been noticed that nuisance birds swoop less when cyclists dismount and walk through an area.Attaching cable ties to helmets can help with the birds not getting too close to the children.Supervising your children, particularly around food as this may provoke some species to swoop.Planning your journey so that areas of concerned can be avoided where possible.

What does Council do?

Following the notification of a swooping bird on public land, Council may conduct a risk based swooping bird assessment.  Following the assessment, mitigations measures such as signage and public awareness through online mapping may be implemented.  Public signage is placed within a 150m radius from the nest and magpies generally swoop for between six and eight weeks within a 100m of their nests for walkers and 150m radius for cyclists.  The approach will be varied depending on the circumstances, species and location of the swooping bird.

What can I do about a swooping bird on my property?

Council does not manage wildlife on private property or state controlled land.Licenced relocators can be engaged directly by the landowner or complainant for a nominated fee.

Noisy crows

The Torresian 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.

Throughout Autumn, crows form flocks made up of mostly young unpaired birds and share a common roost site, usually a cluster of large gum trees. The combined calls of a flock of crows can make a roost site a very noisy place. These roost sites will fluctuate in numbers throughout the year as the crows pair off and find breeding territories, leaving few resident crows in the area. Sometimes a flock of crows will suddenly take residence in a new area or persist at their roosting site instead of moving on. This often indicates a food supply nearby; if the food supply is reduced, the crow numbers will follow.

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.

Flying-foxes

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.

Habitat loss and the resulting lack of food and shelter has led flying-foxes to roost and forage in urban areas. Human-Flying-fox conflict may arise because of issues such as noise, odour and droppings.

Flying-foxes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, however local governments have the authority to undertake roost management within defined areas. There are a number of factors to consider before taking management action, including the likelihood of the roost relocating to a site of greater conflict.

Miriam Vale Flying-fox Management Plan Statement of Management Intent Living with Flying-foxes

Council undertakes monthly monitoring of flying fox roosts to help improve our understanding of their populations and movements. Monitoring results are shared with the Department of Environment and Science as part of the National Flying fox Monitoring Program.

Current flying fox roost observations – Last updated July 2022

Roost name

Location

Current situation

Leixlip Creek, Calliope

Leixlip Creek, intersecting Stowe Road, Calliope

Roost is currently occupied by 3700 black flying-foxes on both sides of Stowe Rd.

Canoe Point, Tannum Sands

Vegetation at the end of Oaks Road behind St Francis Catholic Primary School.

Roost is currently vacant.

Miriam Vale

Blomfield Street, Chapman Street

~1000 grey-headed flying-foxes and ~4000 black flying-foxes occupying areas of Tranquillity Walk on Blomfield Street, eucalypt trees beside the railway line, private property on Chapman Street and melaleuca swamp behind the football fields on Larson Street.   

Blain Drive, Gladstone

Mangroves at Bulgwoyn Park on Blain Drive, Gladstone

A large number (>20,000) of flying-fox returned to this site in June after 5+ years of inoccupation and are currently occupying mangroves at Bulgwoyn Park.

Gladstone Marina

Mangroves and trees within Gladstone Marina parklands

Roost is located on Gladstone Ports Corporation land. For information visit GPC’s website.

If you observe flying foxes (i.e. present in trees during the day) in a location not listed above, please report to Gladstone Regional Council.

Common questions and answers about flying-foxes

Do flying-foxes pose a health risk?

All animals can carry bacteria or viruses that may pose a health risk to humans. Contracting diseases directly from flying foxes is extremely unlikely. Do not attempt to handle sick, injured or orphaned flying foxes. Contact the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL and organise for them to be collected by a trained and vaccinated wildlife carer.

The health risks to humans from flying fox droppings is like that of bird droppings. If contact is made with flying fox droppings, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Where rainwater tanks are used for human consumption, a first flush diverter should be installed.

Health related information regarding flying foxes can be found on the Department of Environment and Science and Queensland Health websites.

Flying fox numbers have declined in the last century. This is due to widespread clearing of native foraging and roosting habitat. Culling practices across their range have also affected their numbers.

Increasing numbers of flying foxes appearing near townships is due to:

  • Ongoing reduction in habitat and wild food sources
  • The effects of drought, bushfire and climate change
  • Backyard fruiting trees and water sources provide what the flying foxes need to survive.

Choice of roosting sites may be linked to historic connections with the site prior to human development.

A flying-fox on the ground or separated from the main roost is often a sign that something is wrong. During starvation events, many flying-foxes lose the energy to fly back to their roost, and risk being stranded and unable to feed.

Please do not handle the animal, contact the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or your local wildlife care group for collection by a trained and vaccinated wildlife carer.

Properties which contain flying-fox food sources (flowers and fruits) are likely to attract foraging. Landowners wishing to manage the impacts of flying-fox foraging on their property should:

  • Remove fruit or excess branches from trees
  • Consider completely removing trees which provide the food source
  • Use fruit-bags and wildlife-safe netting to protect fruit trees/vines
    • Wildlife netting mesh should be less than 5mm;
    • Choose netting which you cannot poke your finger through
  • Trim tree branches overhanging swimming pools, cars, clotheslines, solar panels or water tanks.
  • Install first-flush diverters upon rainwater tanks. This will avoid contamination from flying-fox and bird droppings.

Please note that the above advice only applies to foraging behaviour (i.e. feeding at night from fruit/flowers). Where flying foxes are roosting (i.e. present in the tree during the day), refer to the ‘Code of Practice: Ecologically sustainable management of flying-fox roosts’, available via: https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/89853/cp-wl-ff-roost-management.pdf

Council encourages discussing this issue with your neighbour. Council cannot enforce the removal of trees on private property to reduce impacts of flying-fox on neighbours.

The Neighbourhood Disputes (Diving fences and Trees) Act 2011 provides advice about disputes between neighbours.

No. All flying-fox species are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld).

Grey-headed flying foxes, which are vulnerable to extinction are further protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth).

It is an offence to kill or otherwise harm a flying-fox in contravention of the Act and there are substantial penalties for those who do.

For crop producers, refer to the Code of Practice – Ecologically sustainable lethal take of flying-foxes for crop protection.

 

Council will take responsibility for managing flying-foxes on Council owned or managed land, as per its Statement of Management Intent for flying-fox.

Council’s intent is to have no involvement in the management of roosts located solely on State land or private land.

Flying fox roosts are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is an offence to drive away or attempt to drive away flying foxes without authorisation from the Department of Environment and Science.

Landowners may complete certain low impact activities such as mowing, mulching and weed control in accordance with the Code of Practice: Low impact activities affecting flying fox roosts. Any management actions outside this code require a Flying fox Roost Management Permit.

More information on authorised flying fox roost management is available via: https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/bats/flying-foxes/roost-management.

Snakes

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.

There are a number of commercial snake catchers that operate in the Gladstone Region. Contact details are provided for the benefit of the community, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure the applicable licenses and insurances are valid and a cost may be incurred.

Local snake catchers

  • Agnes Water, Captain Creek and Miriam Vale area only
     - Jason Brownscombe - 0421 174 128
  • Gladstone, Tannum Sands, Boyne Island and Yarwun areas
     - David Voss - 0413 900 403 - QLD DMP Permit:WA0016450
  • Gladstone and surrounding areas
     - Stef Parlan - 0480 299 176 - QLD DMP Permit:WA0027803
  • All areas of the Gladstone Region (Raglan to Rosedale, Boyne Valley to Agnes Water)
    - Jason Gibb - 0427 376 478
    - Tom Maddin - 0467 525 873

Possums

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.

Itchy Grubs (Processionary Catepillar)

During the months of April and May, it is not uncommon to see long processions of what people commonly refer to as 'Itchy Grubs' (ochrogaster lunifer) marching head to tail as they search for new food sources. These grubs mainly feed on various species of wattle.

They build nests at the base of food source trees or in the canopy. Prior to winter the grubs burrow into the ground and emerge in summer as bag-shelter moths. If you encounter these grubs, do not touch them as their hairs and the white powdery scale that they produce in nests can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions such as red swollen skin rashes.

If you find a nest that is causing a problem in a park or other public area, please phone Council.

For other wildlife emergencies and enquiries, please contact the Department of Environment and Science on 1300 130 372.

Turtle nesting

The Gladstone Region is home to four of the world’s seven species of marine turtle; the Green Turtle, Flatback Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle and Leatherback Turtle. Marine turtles’ come ashore to nest on sandy beaches throughout the region from November to March. A female turtle can be aged 30-50 years before she begins to breed and may only breed once every two to eight years.

Observing nesting turtles

Nesting turtles may be encountered at night while they come ashore to lay their eggs. If you come across a turtle on the beach, be respectful and be patient, nesting turtles are timid and easily disturbed. Turn off any lights, do not use a camera flash, and give them plenty of space to complete the egg laying ritual. Once she has finished laying, stay out of her way as she returns to the ocean. The entire nesting process can take several hours. Evidence of turtle nesting can also be observed during the day. Each species of turtle leaves unique tracks in the sand as they make their way across the beach. Early morning is the best time to see these tracks as they deteriorate over time.

Reporting turtle nests

If you observe turtle tracks or a nesting turtle, please report your sighting to the relevant group so it can be captured as important data to inform turtle conservation.

  • In the Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and Gladstone Harbour area - report to the Fitzroy Basin Association via their website at www.fba.org.au/marine-turtle-season-report-a-sighting/
  • In the Agnes Water, from 1770 Headland to Springs Beach area - report to the Discovery Coast Environment Group on 0439 289 633.

If you observe a sick, injured or dead turtle, or other marine wildlife, report to the QLD Government Wildlife Hotline on 1300 130 372.

Basking vs stranded turtles

Sea turtles are known to bask on ocean surfaces; however, terrestrial basking is quite common among the Green Turtles found in the Gladstone Region. Both male and female green sea turtles come ashore and spend time in the sun to raise their internal body temperatures, which improves their immune system and digestive functions.

It is very important to be aware of the normal behaviours seen among the sea turtles and be able to differentiate between basking and stranded turtles. Interfering with a healthy turtle can cause it unnecessary stress.

Some of the common behaviours of a healthy, basking turtle include:

  • Moving slowly, digging their flippers into the sand and stopping to take breaks between movements
  • Spitting up seawater, algae and seaweed at times due to the pressure of being on land
  • Excreting saltwater from the glands near their eyes (which causes them to look like they’re crying)
  • Showing almost no body movement and staying still while basking, except for opening their eyes now and then.

A stranded turtle may be:

  • Very weak and unresponsive
  • Emaciated
  • Have a thick cover of mud, algae, or barnacles
  • Injured
  • Unable to swim or dive properly
  • Unable to return to sea with the next tide.

It is common for sea turtles to rest and bask for up to 48 hours onshore. If you are aware of a turtle on the beach for more than 48 hours or feel like it may be injured, sick or dead, report to the QLD Government Wildlife Hotline on 1300 130 372.

Hatchlings

Once a turtle has laid her eggs, the nest is incubated for approximately 6 weeks, after which the hatchlings will emerge as a group. Hatchlings follow the lowest bright horizon to the ocean. Once in the water the turtles are carried out to the open ocean where they spend up to 10 years before returning to inshore waters.

If you come across hatchlings making their way to the ocean, be sure to keep lights off as artificial lights disorient hatchlings. Do not handle hatchlings as they are vulnerable to human interference and rely on environmental cues as they cross the beach.

Threats to marine turtles

All species of marine turtles are protected by state and federal legislation however, turtles continue to face many natural and human-induced threats.

This includes:

  • Predation of eggs and hatchlings by native and feral animals;
  • Nest disturbance and loss of nesting habitat by human activities, such as 4WDing and natural erosion events;
  • Hatchling disorientation by artificial lighting;
  • Ingestion and entanglement in marine debris;
  • Deteriorating water quality;
  • Loss of food sources and habitat; and
  • Impacts of climate change to food sources and habitats, such as increased sand temperatures.

What can you do to help nesting turtles?

Take the following steps to help protect nesting turtles and their habitats:

  • Observe nesting turtles and hatchlings from a distance and let them make their own way across the beach;
  • If you observe turtle tracks or a nesting turtle, please report your sighting to the relevant group:-
    • In the Boyne Island, Tannum Sands and Gladstone Harbour area - report to the Fitzroy Basin Association via their website at www.fba.org.au/marine-turtle-season-report-a-sighting/
    • In the Agnes Water, from 1770 Headland to Springs Beach area - report to the Discovery Coast Environment Group on 0439 289 633.
  • Only drive on beaches where vehicles are permitted and adhere to any permit requirements. Stick to the hard sand below high tide mark and don’t interfere with marked turtle nests;
  • Avoid using torches on the beach at night during turtle nesting season between November and March;
  • If you live near the beach, use turtle-friendly outdoor lighting and vegetation to screen artificial light sources;
  • Observe seasonal dog prohibited areas and keep dogs on leash when on the beach during turtle nesting season between November and March; 
  • Prevent marine debris by disposing of rubbish appropriately;
  • Don’t interfere with coastal vegetation or light beach fires; and
  • If you observe a sick, injured or dead turtle, or other marine wildlife, report to the QLD Government Wildlife Hotline on 1300 130 372.

Central Queensland Fox Control Project

The Central Queensland Coastal Fox Control Project aims to remove foxes from coastal areas to reduce the number of turtle nests being dug up and predated on each nesting season. The three year project, running from 2021 to 2023, is a collaboration between Gladstone Regional Council and Fitzroy Basin Association’s Team Turtle CQ to deliver targeted control of European Red Foxes in a humane and safe manner from Yeppoon to Agnes Water. Within the Gladstone Region, the project will target areas near turtle nesting beaches in Agnes Water, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands.

Gladstone Regional Council is committed to protecting our region’s environment and ecosystems. The project plays an important part in reducing the impact foxes have on biodiversity, helping protect the Gladstone Region’s endangered and threatened species. 

Local residents can support this project by reporting all evidence of fox activity, sightings in coastal areas and turtle nest hunting.

Report fox activity 

Landowners of private properties within 5km of a turtle nesting beach may register their interest to have their property searched for active fox dens. Den detection works are undertaken during the winter denning season. The inclusion of properties will be dependent on time and resource availability. Properties with a known den location will be prioritised. 

Register your interest by completing the application form and submitting the form via: 

Application form

Private hire of fox traps is also available to all landholders regardless of proximity to the coast. 

Hire a trap

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need to remove foxes from coastal areas?

The European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) was introduced to Australia from England during the 1860s. Today, the European Red Fox is identified as an invasive pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014 and is a major contributor to the decline of native ground nesting birds, small mammals and marine turtles. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, landholders have a general biosecurity obligation to control known populations.

Queensland is one of the most important marine turtle nesting sites in the world with six species of threatened marine turtles nesting across the state. Foxes are opportunistic carnivores and have a significant impact through predation of their nests and their hatchlings.

Council is using best practise control methods to safely and humanely remove foxes from coastal areas. We have engaged the services of Padfoot Wildlife Management to detect fox dens using a specially trained conservation dog. Scout the English Springer Spaniel and his handler will search key coastal areas looking for signs of fox activity during the winter denning season. Active dens are then fumigated to sedate and euthanise the fox humanely.  

Trapping will also be undertaken in appropriate areas as part of an integrated control approach. Best practice operating procedures will be followed to minimise potential impact to off-target species and ensure safe and humane euthanasia of trapped foxes. No baiting is being undertaken as part of the project.

You can help support this project by reporting all evidence of fox activity and sightings in coastal regions and turtle nest predation here. The collected data is used for creating target zones and benchmarks to measure the success of the CQ Fox Control Project.

If you have sighted foxes regularly or have had chickens or other livestock taken, you may have a fox den located on or in close proximity to your property. Foxes construct an underground den for raising cubs during the winter breeding season. The den will generally be located within 200m of a water source and may have multiple entrances with an opening approximately 20cm in diameter. While active, the den will be freshly excavated, with obvious canine footprints, produce a strong ammonia odour and be surrounded by fresh or partially consumed animal carcasses.

Active fox den entrance

Example of an active fox den entrance

The Central Queensland Fox Control Program is funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments as part of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.  

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Gladstone Regional Council

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Phone:
(07) 4970 0700

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Opening Hours:
8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday

Postal Address:
PO Box 29
Gladstone Qld 4680

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Council Offices:
101 Goondoon Street, Gladstone Qld 4680
3 Don Cameron Drive, Calliope Qld 4680
41 Blomfield Street, Miriam Vale Qld 4677
Cnr Wyndham & Hayes Avenues, Boyne Island Qld 4680

Rural Transaction Centres:
71 Springs Road, Agnes Water Qld 4677
47 Raglan Street, Mount Larcom Qld 4695

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Gladstone Regional Council would like to acknowledge the Bailai, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda people who are the traditional custodians of this land. Gladstone Regional Council would also like to pay respect to Elders both past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Learn more about Council's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

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