An interactive magpie map is letting people get the upper hand on where the dive-bombing birds are found.
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Five swooping attacks, including one resulting in injury to a cyclist at Tongarra, have already been recorded in the Illawarra on www.magpiealert.com
But donning helmets with eyes or zippy ties is not going to cut it, according to a Mount Keira artist and magpie enthusiast.
Nicole Grimm-Hewitt has befriended many of the birds as they are “really friendly and family oriented” but she also called them brave, as often they’ll do whatever it takes to protect their nests.
“That’s usually the male … they will hone in on the same person all the time, they remember faces,” she said.
“It’s got nothing to do with helmets, it’s just you and for whatever reason think you’re a threat.”
Mrs Grimm-Hewitt has been swooped and pecked before, but still loves them.
“I’m a cyclist and I’ve been riding along, and when the suns out you can see the shadow of them coming at you,” she said.
“Some are more savage than others, like people.”
The artist suggested if cyclists are being chased to get off the bike, take off the helmet, walk and look at them.
Though she did admit if they really wanted to peck your eye out, they will.
Other magpie hotspots to be wary of include Northcliffe Drive in Berkeley, Fern Street in Gerringong, Memorial Drive in Towradgi and Woolworths Avenue in Lake Illawarra.