Avid rider Steve Coughlan says he is usually unperturbed by magpies – but has found one particularly aggressive magpie seems to have targeted him for a number of years.

“One of my favourite places to ride is along the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail and I usually enter the trail at the point it crosses Cuthberts Road, Alfredton,” Mr Coughlan said.

“I first encountered this particular maggie when heading out to the trail around this time last year, as it tends to lurk about 100 metres east of that crossing point.”

Mr Coughlan captured the moment a magpie “struck his sunglasses” when he was riding on the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail.

 “I get swooped all the time when out riding and it doesn't usually phase me - but this bird is something else.  Incredibly aggressive, it swoops multiple times in one attack and often makes forceful contact – in my case, striking my helmet.”

Mr Coughlan first filmed the magpie incident in 2015 and uploaded the video to magpiealert.com.au to warn fellow riders about the bird.

“An attack by this bird on an unsuspecting cyclist  - especially a novice - could prove extremely dangerous, given it's a fairly busy stretch of road,” Mr Coughlan said. 

This week, Mr Coughlan bravely returned to “the scene of the crime” with a camera and protective gear including a bandana and ear warmers.

“And, as always, he – or she – didn't disappoint,” Mr Coughlan said.

“I'd highly recommend any cyclist, runner, hiker avoiding that area during sweeping season, if possible. 

“At the very least, be aware this bird will likely attack aggressively  and often.

“Stay safe out there.”

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning senior wildlife officer Brady Childs said swooping was normal bird behaviour.

"Birds swoop only for a short period of time, about four to six weeks, so if possible the best response is to keep away from the area during this time," Mr Childs said.