It’s time to keep an eye to the sky – magpie swooping season is with us.
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Whether it’s kids on their way to school or someone going out for a bike ride along the coast, magpies in the Illawarra have been attacking since July.
It’s led some to think the swooping season has started a bit earlier this year, but a National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said that wasn’t the case.
“Magpies generally breed between July and November each year,” the spokesman said.
“Magpies start breeding as soon as conditions are suitable including when weather begins to warm up.
The spokesman said the diving behaviour was the birds protecting their newborn chicks.
“Magpies are very protective of their chicks,” the spokesman said.
“Some, but not all, magpies swoop anyone they see as an intruder in their territory.
“This protective behaviour lasts only a few weeks, so be prepared to avoid them, or risk being injured.”
In case someone was thinking about taking out some drastic action after being swooped, the spokesman warned that magpies were a protected species and it was illegal to capture, harm or kill them.
It was also against the law to collect their eggs or harm their young.
The spokesman said the best thing people can do is avoid nesting areas.
If that wasn't possible people should walk past the area confidently, do not stop and watch the bird as they walk past.
A hat or bike helmet can help protect your head from the swooping magpie’s beak – and sunglasses can do the same for your eyes.
Cyclists should get off their bike and quickly walk past.