I wrote an article on the swooping menaces when the season began, but a little child I know was the latest to be swooped at the Hay Park so I thought I would have another look at it. Research tells me they will only occasionally strike on the head, but the Hay Park offender has caught many a jogger and player.

All the best preparation in the world unfortunately won't help the poor unsuspecting average 5 year old I guess.

Magpie swooping season runs between August and October, with peak swooping occurring in September. Individual magpies typically swoop for only 4-6 weeks during the breeding period.

Even though it's now mid-November, some magpies may still be protecting their territory if they had a late nest. Australian magpies swoop people who enter their nesting territory as a defensive behaviour to protect their young. Only a small percentage of the magpie population exhibits this defensive behaviour, and its mostly male magpies that swoop.

The experience is usually just a warning, and only occasionally will a bird actually strike the intruder on the head.

Walk quickly and carefully away from the area and avoid walking there when magpies are swooping.

Here are key protective measures.

• Magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them.
• Wear a helmet, wide-brim hat, or even improvised protection like an ice cream container.
• Get off your bike and walk quickly through swooping areas, as magpies see cyclists as a particular threat.
• Don't run or wave your arms, as this can appear aggressive.

To find specific swooping locations you can visit magpiealert.com, Australia's social website to track aggressive swooping magpies where members of the public mark where they've been swooped.

are protected throughout NSW, and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect their eggs, or harm their young. If you encounter a particularly aggressive magpie, report it to your local council.

If you're experiencing swooping in Hay specifically, I'd recommend checking the Magpie Alert map or contacting your local council to report the location so warning signs can be posted.