6 days ago
Moment woman is ATTACKED by dive-bombing buzzard terrorising town as primary school bans kids playing outside
DRAMATIC footage shows the moment a woman is attacked by a dive-bombing buzzard.
Sparking havoc in Havering, East London, the terrorising bird even spurred a village primary school to ban children from playing outside.
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The bird of prey swooped in on a woman outside of her house
Credit: SWNS
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Louise Whittle narrowly avoided the dive-bombing bird
Credit: SWNS
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Louise is caught ducking to avoid the bird
Credit: SWNS
The video - which was caught on a door cam - depicts the shocking moment local Louise Whittle narrowly avoids being clipped by the swooping buzzard.
The bird-of-prey is seen flying about an inch away from the woman's head.
Still dressed in her dressing gown, the unsuspecting resident is seen ducking, before running away from the animal.
Havering Council has since advised students from Dame Tipping Primary School nearby to stay inside due to raised concerns about the buzzard.
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Head teacher Stella McCarthy said the school was taking children to a nearby outdoor area instead.
She added that staff were trying to "embrace" the situation as a "learning experience" for the children.
She told the BBC: "We had to think about how to risk assess this... it's quite an unusual situation, having to risk assess a buzzard.
"We tried our nearer playground areas thinking they would be safe, but soon discovered that Brenda was quite attracted to children playing outside."
A bird of prey expert, Ross Hicking, has also visited the school to help educate the students about the buzzard's behaviour.
He brought with him a Chilean blue buzzard eagle called Guido.
Cyclist repeatedly attacked by dive-bombing buzzard after riding past nest on country lane
According to Ross, the buzzard is likely acting aggressively because she has a nest nearby because most of the time they would tend to avoid people.
Another factor, he added, could be the suburban environment, which means the bird could be more comfortable around humans.
The council said: "Our health and safety team have provided detailed advice to the academy trust responsible for the school, including the use of legal deterrents and other controls.
"We completely understand how difficult and worrying this situation is for the school and local residents and we regret that there is not a quick or straightforward solution."
Havering Council said the RSPCA had advised that the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks.
The council has also suggested hiring a falconry expert who may be able to deter the aggressive bird.
But as buzzards are a protected species under UK law, "intervention options are very limited".
It comes after a man was attacked by a dive-bombing hawk in a quiet village leaving him bloodied and hospitalised earlier this year.
The Harris's hawk was captured on camera after a string of attacks in the sleepy Hertfordshire village of Flamstead.
Residents resorted to wearing helmets or hats to protect themselves from the dive-bombing bird of prey.
Jim Hewitt, 75, also from Flamstead, was left bloodied when it swooped on him as he went to get milk and a newspaper.
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The buzzard was nicknamed Brenda by the children
Credit: SWNS
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Dame Tipping Primary School children have been banned from playing outside
Credit: SWNS
