Sky News political reporter Simon Love interrupted by swooping bird during live cross
A Sky News reporter faced direct criticism for his work live on air on Tuesday when a bird took offence and flew at him.
There was no love involved when political reporter Simon Love was rudely interrupted during a live broadcast covering the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) monthly interest rate announcement.
But it was the bird that flew towards Love that appeared to be angry with him and prevented him from talking to Kieran Gilbert, the station’s lead newsreader.
While Gilbert, who was in the studiosaid Australians with mortgages would be “watching closely” the RBA’s decision. Love had to keep a close eye on the bird that was getting far too close.
He was reporting from Carrum Downs after visiting the mortgage belt of Frankston in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, where mortgage holders were hoping interest rates would not rise.
“Wow! Sorry Kieran,” Love said as the camera switched to him and the angry bird made his presence known.
“I just got mugged! Yeah, sorry, forgive me Kieran. I just got mugged by a bird.”
Undeterred by his feathered friend, Love told Gilbert that it wasn’t the first time he’d been shot in the “last five minutes.”
Sky News reporter Simon Love (pictured) came under direct criticism for his live radio journalism on Tuesday when a bird took offence and flew at him
“Anyway, let’s keep going and hopefully we don’t get attacked again,” Love said, looking up at the sky in case there were more air raids.
‘We are all waiting here, not for a bird to fly over, but for the Reserve Bank’s decision at 2.30pm.’
The Sky News reporter, who was watching the skies to make sure the bird didn’t return, told Gilbert he might “go somewhere else” for the announcement.
“That, or you should put on a stacking hat,” his colleague joked.
The RBA’s decision proved a lot less exciting than Love’s live pass.
There was no change and the cash rate remained unchanged at 4.35 percent.
Sky News reporter Simon Love is pictured scanning the skies to make sure a bird that flew towards him didn’t return
The diving bird arrived a little earlier in the year than normal, as this behaviour usually only occurs in spring.
Birds are very protective of their eggs, nests and young. If they feel threatened, they will often attack unsuspecting passers-by.
They do this as a ‘warning’ to ward off intruders in their territory.