Magpies swooping

Recently I have been swooped by a couple of Magpies, sometimes with painful results. They seem to have the bicycle exits to my suburb covered. The usual response of the media and the "person on the street" is that the magpies are a menace and behaving somehow irrationally. But they are native fauna, they were here first and play an important role in the ecosystem as well as singing beautifully, and they are trying to protect their habitat in breeding season. They also cause far less damage and injury to cyclists than armoured road users which are tolerated and encouraged. So here are a few tried and tested solutions which do not require the eradication of other species:

• Cover your ears - wear a soft hat which covers your ears under your helmet and sunglasses so the bird can peck where it wants to without causing any harm. This will not appeal to fashion cyclists dressed up in colourful plastic suits but is totally effective.
• With your hat on, think about the pleasure of being accompanied by such a beautiful large bird when cycling.
• Try another helmet colour. I never had this problem until I bought a new shiny-metallic blue helmet. I once observed a magpie chasing off a snake in the bush. They are very responsive to particular shapes and forms. The other day I followed another bike into magpie territory and it ignored the other cyclist but swooped me. They discriminate.
• Beware in particular areas such as magpie habitats which are being disturbed by building sites, or where a lot of children have recently moved in and play on the street. Some kids are unkind to birds. These things make them irritable. In quiet suburban streets, the magpies like to just walk about without feeling the need to swoop on anyone.
• Watch the shadows. Your first warning of a bird approaching can be seen on the ground.
• If all else fails, get off your bike, take off the helmet, and walk out of the magpie's territory. It will leave you alone when you are walking.