Snakes alive in Sydney

Snakes have been spotted at the Equestrian Centre

With all the shiny precious metal available at the Olympics, it should be no surprise that one of Sydney's magpies is trying to get in on the act.

But Games organisers are now trying to cope with snakes in the grass which are coming out of hiding.

As if giant moths plaguing Stadium Australia, whales cruising the sailing course and a rogue magpie menacing the mountain bikers aren't enough, some of Australia's more scary wildlife is giving Games officials a headache.

The unseasonally warm spring weather has brought deadly Eastern Brown and Red-Bellied Black snakes slithering out of the undergrowth at equestrian events, the bike course and the rifle range.

Venomous

Spectators at these venues have been issued with sheets advising them to walk slowly away if confronted by the venomous snakes which have been spooking competitors.

Visitors to the Cecil Park mountain bike range are greeted by a booming public address announcement: "Keep to the track, snakes have been sighted."

While the snakes pose a more deadly threat, the biggest pest to mountain bike competitors has been the magpie which dive-bombs them at the finish line - even before they have any shiny gold or silver around their necks.

Australian mountain biking coach Damian Grundy has a solution to the magpie problem, which would involve the help of shooting gold medallist Michael Diamond.

"We've had a few snakes around the place but there's this particularly nasty magpie," said Grundy.

"I don't think you're allowed to shoot magpies, I think they're a protected species but Michael might be up to the job."