The abc-news on line reports a researcher, who is investigating the impact of climate change on Australian birds, states that climate change is changing the breeding behaviour of magpies. The PhD student, Heather Gibbs, is one of a group of scientists investigating climate-driven changes in the migratory and reproductive patterns of Australia's flora and fauna. Apparently these changes result in the timing of the breeding.

The traditional breeding season for magpies, which is known as a time when the aggressively territorial birds swoop at people's heads, normally runs from July to December, peaking in October.

Right now one needs to wear a hat while out, to protect the head from the aggressive maggies, or at least carry a newspaper to warn them off. I've wondered why they demonstrate this behaviour.