Wollongong Council says watch those Magpies

Wollongong City Council is reminding residents to take extra care during Magpie swooping season.

For most of the year, magpies are not aggressive, however, during nesting they will often defend their territory forcefully.

Anyone walking or riding past may be seen as an ‘invader’ and these birds will swoop the person or animal, clacking their bills as they fly overhead.

Although this behaviour can be scary, it’s usually only a warning.

Magpies are protected throughout NSW, if you see a particularly menacing magpie, report it to Wollongong City Council by calling (02) 4227 7111, and they’ll install some warning signage in the area so that passers-by are aware they might be swooped.