Joggers targeted in buzzard attacks

David O'Leary • Published 18 Jun 2010 12:12 4 Comments

SEVERAL joggers have been left covered in blood after being attacked by a buzzard.

Sports agent, Scott McDonald, suffered several cuts after after the bird swooped and sunk its talons into his head.

The forty-three year old was running along Kingsmeadows Road near Kailzie Gardens last Tuesday June 8 when the bird struck.

He said: "I first felt a whoosh past my head but thought it was just a bird shooting out of the ditch. I continued on but 500 metres later it began clawing at my head.

"I was terrified because I couldn't see what was attacking me. It then returned a third time striking from directly above.

"I ran home covered in blood and couldn't believe what had happened."

Mum of one, Sarah Connor, 31, suffered a similar attack on the same stretch of road within a week.

She said: "I was running along listening to my Ipod when it swooped right past me. It then came straight back at me and plucked the cap off my head.

"I ran up the road and it attacked me four or five more times, eventually I had to run into the woods at the side of the road just to get away from it.

"Then it just sat in a tree watching me. Thankfully a car came along and I flagged it down and jumped in.

"When I got home I was shaking like a leaf. Since then I've heard of several other joggers and cyclists who've been attacked.

"Now even when crows come near me I twitch a bit."

Experts say the bird, which has a 4ft wingspan, was probably protecting its chicks which are about to fledge.

James Reynolds of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said: "It is extremely uncommon for a buzzard to attack a person. We would recommend avoiding the area for a few weeks until the young have left."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 18 Jun 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  andy mitcheson
  Unregistered User
  Jun 18, 22:49
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  First bird that's gone for Scott in a long time!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Embru
  Unregistered User
  Jun 29, 07:29
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  Thats nothing, get yourself along to Inverleith Pond with a loaf of bread and you'll propertly get attacked by a giant swan!
  
  Seriously they are wild!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  
  Unregistered User
  Jun 29, 08:54
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  Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks
  
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• 

  
  Unregistered User
  Jun 29, 08:55
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  I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it is about the individual but it can be with everyone.
  
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