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Being swooped by a magpie can be an unpleasant experience, but it's a price Harvey Bell is willing to pay to enjoy spring cycling outings with his friends.
Mr Bell heads out each weekend with his riding group and during their after-ride cafe catch-ups, they have plenty of stories to share about their encounters with magpies during nesting season in Canberra.
"For me it's just part of the seasons. It's part of nature, if you find there's a terribly bad one, try and avoid him,'' Mr Bell said.
"Pretty well every spring time there's magpies swooping. Most of them are fairly civilised about it but occasionally there's one that takes it very seriously and may draw blood.
"But most of the time they're just looking after their young and you get used to them.''
Canberra cyclist Harvey Bell has had many run-ins with magpies during the annual swooping season but accepts it is part of nature. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
Mr Bell tried attaching cable ties to his helmet to scare off the birds, but has since given up on that approach.
"I found they were more of a danger, I nearly poked myself in the eye trying to put my helmet on,'' he said.
Magpies swoop to protect eggs and chicks in their nest. (ABC News: Greg Nelson)
Fellow rider John Widdup also accepts that being swooped is a fact of life for recreational cyclists in spring.
He was recently swooped by a magpie in Gungahlin, in Canberra's north, but was spared injury thanks to his helmet.
"The fellow, according to my wife who was behind me, swooped a few times and banged me on the ear solidly with his body twice and then decided to put his claws onto my helmet,'' Mr Widdup said.
"But he didn't touch my head.''
Swooping season starting earlier
Evan Croker from ACT Wildlife says warmer winters appear to be bringing forward magpie nesting season. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
Magpie breeding and nesting season typically runs from July through to November, with September usually the peak for having young in nests.
But Evan Croker from ACT Wildlife said recent warmer winters appeared to have prompted some magpies to start nesting, and in turn swooping, earlier.
"Definitely the winters are getting warmer over the last few years and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the nesting is starting earlier and earlier,'' he said.
Holding an umbrella or a stick above your head can help protect you as magpies will swoop at the highest point. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
Why do magpies swoop?
Magpies swoop intruders entering their territory — like dogs, cats, pedestrians and cyclists — to defend eggs and chicks in their nest.
The swooping usually occurs within 100 metres of the nest tree and lasts about six weeks, intensifying as the chick grows and usually ending as it leaves the nest.
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Mr Croker said only about 10 per cent of male birds engaged in swooping and understanding their behaviour could help people avoid aggressive birds.
"What we need to do is work with them and understand them," he said.
"So, if you discover a swooping area, it's just a good idea to walk around that area.
"And there are various other things you can do with a stick and umbrella. Just wearing a hat and sunglasses – that makes a big difference for protecting yourself from them.''
Mr Croker said it was best to avoid acting aggressively if swooped by a magpie.
"Don't try and take them on because you may get an enemy for life," he said.
"Magpies are intelligent and they remember the faces, believe it or not.
"Whatever you do, don't sort of start running, that sort of triggers them even more.''
Tips to protect yourself from swooping magpies
When magpies swoop, they beat their wings, clack their beaks and occasionally peck or scratch. (Supplied: Andrew Garrett)
If you have a swooping magpie in your neighbourhood, ACT Parks and Conservation recommends you:
- walk through the bird's territory quickly, don't run
- take a different route next time
- protect your head with an umbrella, hat or helmet
- wear glasses to protect your eyes
- watch the birds while walking away quickly from the area — magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them
- protect your pet and do not leave them alone or off-lead in an area with a swooping bird
- don't let your pet attack birds as this may trigger swooping
- attach a flag or streamers on a stick to your bike or backpack
- walk your bike through the bird's territory, don't ride.
Do not chase or throw things at a magpie, as the birds can become aggressive towards people if they are harassed.
If you have concerns about a particular magpie in your neighbourhood, you can report the bird to Access Canberra and ACT Parks and Conservations rangers may put up warning signs.
As magpies are protected by native animal laws, problem birds are only removed in extreme cases and as a last resort.