Public warned to avoid Highland beauty spot after attacks by bird of prey
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Just as summer gets into its swing, people are being warned to avoid a scenic spot under siege from a defensive bird of prey.
Attacks on runners and cyclists by a bird of prey near Auldearn have prompted a warning to avoid the route during the nesting season.
The area is popular with visitors from across the Highlands.
A series of frightening incidents have occurred with some runners reporting injuries from a female buzzard believed to protecting its chicks.
Stephen Fraser, chairman of Nairn Road Runners issued advice to members to stay clear of the area after several reports of a buzzard swooping on members running up Brightmony Brae and along the Lethen Road.
"It's a very popular area with runners, walkers and cyclists. The brae is a good challenge but the consequences for a cyclist going downhill could be very serious if attacked."
The latest victim was swooped on twice running up the hill about two miles from the village.
He declined to be named but told the Courier he suffered scratches to his head and he warned other runners and walkers to be aware when in the vicinity.
"It was towards the top of the hill I looked up and saw this impressive beast in the air," he said.
"I jogged on up the hill then there was this massive bang on the back of my head. My stupid response was to run after it cursing it.
"There were scratches to the back of my head because I had taken my hat off because of the heat. I started jogging again and it attacked me a second time."
The runner decided to walk some distance before he felt it was safe to set off again.
He added: "It's a very popular area with runners, walkers and cyclists. The brae is a good challenge but the consequences for a cyclist going downhill could be very serious if attacked."
Mr Fraser said it would be best to avoid the route.
"It's clearly a nesting buzzard and our members have reported being attacked there over the past three years," he said.
"It must be using the same nesting site in the woods. I know it's been a quite terrifying experience. But it's a wild bird protecting it's young and we should just give it space. It's one thing a runner getting clobbered but it could be much more serious if it attacked a cyclist hurting down the brae."
There have been several similar reports from Nairn Road Runners who use the route regularly running up towards Lethen from Auldearn.
Gillian Cummins, a music teacher, and keen walker and runner was swooped upon in the same area last year.
"It was very frightening and it happened so suddenly," she said. "I really felt I was being mugged by a human being because there was absolutely no sound.
"It was only after I was struck I realised what had happened and saw this big powerful bird flying off over the treetops.
"It was so silent. It must have glided in from behind me and I could hear any flapping of wings.
"I had a couple of bumps to my head and scratches where its talons drew blood so I went to have a tetanus injection.
"I only go back now in the winter outwith the nesting season and stop about March.
"It's a beautiful run because you have panoramic views over Auldearn and the Moray Firth.
"At the end of the day its a wild animal and it's just protecting its chicks and its territory so the best advice is to avoid the area.
"I do a lot of hill walking and buzzards and skuas will swoop down on you but they never actually attack you like this."
Another club member who had similar experiences put up warning signs on fence posts last year while one runner said she had been attacked six times.
Female buzzards are larger than males and have a wingspan of up to 1.4metres.
A spokeswoman for the RSPB said: "The advice from the chairman of the running club seems to be very sensible.
"It’s tricky to say exactly when the young buzzards will be fledged, but we would advise keeping an eye on the situation over the summer.
"The breeding success of buzzards depends largely on a good food supply and a lack of interference from humans, either illegal or accidental.
"The behaviour will likely stop as soon as the young leave the nest."
