Dive-bombing buzzard terrorises children's running race
The junior fell running competition at Foel Fenlli, a hill in Denbighshire, north Wales, was called off over fears the menacing raptor could target participants.
Nigel Crompton, a fell runner and organiser of the race, said he was repeatedly set upon by the bird nearby.
Attack from above
'I was following a path along the valley when I suddenly felt something hit the back of my head accompanied by a swooshing sound,' he told BBC News.
'Within seconds it circled round and headed straight back towards me. My initial instinct was to run faster and get out of there but several times I felt and heard it swooping down against the back of my head.
'Apparently, you're not supposed to run. I know that now. I was dive-bombed several more times but found that by stopping and facing it the bird was more likely to stay high.
'It continued to circle around menacingly, however, until I was clear of the area. It was magnificent and yet unnerving.'
Mr Crompton said he feared young runners would be attacked by the bird if the race, which was due to be held on Sunday, went ahead.
'Thoughts quickly moved from survival to the race in just a few days,' he said. 'I had by now Googled buzzard attacks and discovered them incredibly prevalent in the Highlands, in the Lakes and in Shropshire, especially targeting runners. The advice, after all, is not to run.
'Concerns were obviously for the safety of our junior athletes with fears that more runners in the area may further distress and agitate the birds and concerns for the disturbance of a protected species.
'The main message, for me, is for people to be aware. I have been running in these hills for years and never encountered this before and yet now find that buzzard attacks are not uncommon and runners seem to be most targeted.'
Protective parent
The race had been held in the Clywdian Hills since 2023. It is one of six events in the English Junior Fell Championships, with others taking place in Seathwaite, Cumbria, Clougha Pike, Lancashire, and Edale, Derbyshire.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said that the buzzard was likely to have been protecting young chicks.
'Although it's no consolation to those attacked, it is unusual for buzzards, or any other bird of prey, to attack humans,' a spokesman for RSPB Cymru said.
'The birds are most likely just being good parents and defending their young.'
They added that they advised people to avoid the area for the short period of time until the young leave the nest.
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