Busselton Primary School students terrorised by swooping magpie

Terrified students at a South West primary school are being forced to use umbrellas to defend themselves from a territorial magpie swooping them on the school run. Teachers and older students at Busselton Primary School have been shepherding younger children to class to protect them from the menacing magpie which is wreaking havoc in the school grounds. Playtimes have been moved to avoid the birds but parents say they fear one of their children could “lose an eye” if the school doesn’t remove the bird. A flyer sent to parents urged them to use alternative school entrances, cover up and use “some form of protection” such as an umbrella to prevent attacks. The flyer assures parents the birds should leave “in about a month” after their chicks are old enough to fly away. The Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions said it would not remove the birds because of their territorial nature. “If a magpie poses a serious safety risk to people, a dangerous fauna licence may be issued to destroy the bird,” a spokeswoman said. Busselton Primary School principal Jeremy Shepherd said the school had taken expert advice from the department but was not prepared to destroy the bird and its family. “We have taken many steps to reduce the risk of children and adults being swooped, including keeping students away from a known swooping area during school time,” Mr Shepherd said. “We have also educated students about ways to protect themselves. “I have shielded students with an umbrella when needed.” David Barker, whose four-year-old daughter attends kindergarten at the school, said children were afraid of a bird which was swooping “over 100 times a day”. “You can clearly see the likelihood of an injury and the severity could be devastating,” he said “Someone could lose an eye and that could affect them and their family for the rest of their lives.” A sign has been erected at the school warning passers-by to keep “well clear” of the inhabited area and to wear eye protection.