If you're on the Wollondilly River Walkway any time in the next couple of months, it might be best to wear protective headgear.
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There's a magpie on the loose, and it doesn't take kindly to intruders, as 24 year-old Bree Bill found out on Monday.
Walking home from town, she came to the section near Kenmore Street and Derwent Street, behind the PCYC, when she was hit on the side of her head.
"I felt a big thud on my head - it knocked my headphones off onto the ground," said Ms Bill.
"It felt like I'd been hit by a cricket ball."
It was, of course, our unfriendly magpie, intent on defending it's territory and young.
"I ditched the headphones and walked away very fast but it followed me up Kenmore Street," said Ms Bill.
She was saved when she called her mother to come and pick up her, then they drove the car onto the walkway in order to retrieve the headphones safely.
While there, Ms Bill saw another woman swooped, as she pushed a child in a pram.
"She was wearing a hat though," said Ms Bill, "so she wasn't injured.
The bird's claws left three marks on Ms Bill's skin, and some bruising.
She added that she had been attacked at the same spot last year by what she presumes is the same bird.
Her social media post about the attack gained almost 100 comments overnight, with many reporting the same bird had attacked them over the years.
Others pointed out that the bird may have been treated badly by passers-by in the past.
Ms Bill said she would like to see the bird re-located away from the busy walkway.
But Goulburn Mulwaree Council has said that won't be happening.
"As we come into spring magpies are now in their nesting season, and can be highly protective of their young," said a council spokesperson.
"This can and will lead to swooping of nearby pedestrians, and we advise residents to take alternate paths during this time if possible.
"Magpies are a protected species in NSW, and council has no intentions of trying to relocate nesting birds.
"The community is invited to send in the locations of aggressive magpies to the communications and business development officer who can publicise these locations to the wider community via council's Facebook - Jackson.reardon@goulburn.nsw.gov.au "
