3 days ago
Moment dive-bombing buzzard that has terrorised village tries to get into house before being attacked by magpies and crows
A dive-bombing buzzard that has terrorised villagers for months has been captured attempting to enter a house before being attacked by magpies and crows.
Residents in Havering-atte-Bower, Greater London, say they are 'living in fear' after being attacked by the menacing bird of prey which has even caused a local primary school to stop their pupils from going outside during break time.
The buzzard, nicknamed Brenda by local school children, is believed to be part of a mating pair and was last week captured narrowly missing resident Louise Whittle's head as it swooped down on her.
Now, fellow local Nick Woodgate has captured the bird looking to continue its reign of terror on the community by entering a nearby house.
The footage shows the buzzard attempting to fly through the closed window before it flies onto the roof of the house opposite Mr Woodgate's property.
It is then circled by crows looking to knock the swaying buzzard off its perch, before a group of magpies seemingly arrive to help oust the bird.
She is said to be defending her nest in Havering Country Park, and due to buzzards being protected under UK law, Havering Council has said its intervention options are 'very limited'.
It is then circled by crows looking to knock the swaying buzzard off its perch, before a group of magpies seemingly arrive to help oust the bird
When Miss Whittle was almost hit in the head by the bird earlier this month she said the situation was 'absolutely bonkers'.
And after children at Dame Tipping Primary School were forced to stay inside since Easter through fear of injury, Miss Whittle said it was a 'brilliant' way to handle the issue.
She added: 'The school have been absolutely fantastic in prioritising the children's safety and finding other alternatives for getting out.
'If anything, it's been a great learning experience for the children - they have learnt all about buzzards that they otherwise wouldn't have done.'
However, Miss Whittle admitted being concerned that 'the birds are being prioritised over the children' and said she is 'hopeful that they fly away so everyone can get back to normal'.
Headteacher Stella McCarthy said the 'difficult decision' to keep the children inside was made after the birds became 'highly present' in the playground.
She said: 'As a school, safeguarding and protecting children is of paramount importance.'
The school has decided to use the situation as a learning experience for pupils, who have created posters promoting the protection of birds.
Headteacher Ms McCarthy added: 'Luckily, as part of LIFE Education Trust, we have had excellent support enabling us to use the trust mini bus to regularly visit The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls where our children have engaged in outdoor learning activities, PE lessons and visited the school's farm.
'We have also introduced additional indoor breaks with lots of engaging activities including traditional board games, cup stacking competitions and puzzles.'
The bird also dive-bombed on local resident Nikki Dix, 37, as she took a walk in the park.
Miss Dix said she was 'dead shocked' when the bird attacked her from behind and left scratches on her head.
She said: 'I was scared, I was taken back by it.
'He was giving me an evil eye so then I carried on my journey for quite a while just swinging my bag above my head because I was just like 'hopefully this will deter him from coming to get me, because if he does try again to get me maybe he won't be so nice'.
'Nothing like that normally gets me so I'm a little bit on high alert at the moment, that's why I've stayed away from that area as well.'
The school has been liaising with Havering Council and various bird organisations to find solutions to the issue.
The council said its health and safety team has provided the school's trust with 'detailed advice' on legal deterrents and the hiring of a falconry expert.
A Havering Council spokesperson said previously: 'The RSPCA has advised that the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks, which lines up with the information we have received.
'Buzzards are protected under UK law, therefore our intervention options are very limited, and we have advised that warning signs would be the easiest solution at this time.
'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.
