Protect The Nest

I turned swooping season into a game

Mark Smith, 31, Kardinya, WA.

Riding beside my boy, Sulivan, five, on our pushbikes, I basked in the warm weather. It was early spring in 2023, and I was taking him to school. As we rode along the footpath, a black and white glimmer shot past my face. Was that a magpie? I fretted. Not wanting to worry Sully, I decided it was best we pressed on. Suddenly, it swooped us again! We had clearly cycled near a nest. “What’s happening, Daddy?” Sulivan squeaked. “Keep going!” I called to him. Although he was nervous, Sully kept bravely peddling until we were out of the danger zone. When we got to the school, I explained that the magpie feared us and was protecting his nest. “We just need to be kind and give him space,” I…

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Take 5 (Digital) - 1 Issue, TAK2506

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