Magpies: how do you deal with them?

We asked you to share your top tips on how to deter those magpies and here are some of your thoughts:

I have developed the capacity not to react to them: the goal is to leave their territory ASAP. I don't duck, I don't swerve, I ignore. It makes no difference to how the magpie reacts, but I don't get distressed or fearful anymore. I have claw marks in the back of one helmet, but still do not react. I was recently riding in outback Australia, and entered a crows' territory: he/she flew about a metre above my head and just made noise (clacking beak etc) and followed me till I left the area. So my learning is: it is my response that I can control, not the bird's (who is just being a bird). Consequently I enjoy my riding more.

This prototype is a propeller made from cedar with half a CD attached at each end. The slightest forward movement will send it spinning. It also has a cable tie pin near the shaft which when removed allows the propeller to spin. Hey, if you are going to look ridiculous, you may as well have something that works!

I met a woman on the recent Bike SA annual tour using a clump of bird flash tape tied to her helmet. She swears by it and I have now got some (from greenharvest.com) - $15 for a 90m roll - they use it in grapevines to scare birds - it is just like tinsel but stronger - red one side and silver the other and you just cut it into strips and tie a clump towards the back of your helmet - makes a very satisfactory rustling noise and waves about. I'm off to try it out in a cycle round Bendigo so we'll see how it goes. So far have not been swooped in the streets of Sydney but there is a known fierce magpie in Flood St. Leichhardt at junction of Regent St and another near the Leichhardt pool.

I decorated the helmet with cable ties sticking out like echidna spikes, which supposedly helps. It didn't stop the attacks, but at least she's now attacking from the side rather than the back, which seems to be less dangerous. Proper solution would be a rifle shot...

Many cyclists use the cable tie method. However for many years I have used the technique of picking up a longish stick that I stash on the median strip on the southern end and then madly wave around to keep him away and drop at the other end to pick it up again on my return. It works a treat and means I don't have to ride around looking like I have a spiny anteater on my head the rest of the time.

Just something I came across accidently which may help with the diving Magpie problem. Last summer I bought a sun protection flap for my bike helmet which fits around the helmet and provides a shaded cape over my neck for sun protection. Mine is bright orange in colour and I got it from the Cancer Council. It's only of limited value for its intended purpose of sun protection due to the fact that as soon as you get up any speed the cape flaps around and generally flutters about like a flag in the wind providing very little coverage for the neck. However, I noticed that I had a summer free of Magpie problems and my guess is that the fluttering material scares the daylights out of them. Another unintended side effect may be that all that flapping orange cloth could well be increasing my visibility to motorist so all in all, not a bad purchase.

Apropos your e-news piece about magpies, members might be interested in the in depth research that CSIRO has conducted on the subject. CSIRO has succinctly summarised the results in Killer Magpie (which will fuel helmet debate no end). The sequel Killer Magpie 2 posits a helmet law abiding solution.

One strategy is to hunch shoulders up to protect neck and never look back as the strike may hit an ear, eye or side of face; leave alone lose control and direction. They always let off a distinctive attack/alarm cry to give you time to prepare. Think of then as protective and vigilant parents- something to admire may help you get through the short lived drama.