Latest news with #NikkiDix
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
How a rogue bird of prey sparked fear in an English village
A buzzard has been attacking residents in Havering-atte-Bower, Essex, since Easter, leading Dame Tipping Primary School to keep pupils indoors as the bird is a protected species. Resident Nikki Dix reported being scratched on the head by the buzzard in March, while Louise Whittle, a parent, was also filmed being swooped at by the bird. The school has introduced indoor activities to keep children engaged during breaks, while parents have voiced concerns about prioritising the bird over children's safety. Havering Council stated that the RSPCA believes the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks, and due to its protected status, intervention options are limited to warning signs. In March, a similar situation occurred in Flamstead, Hertfordshire, where a Harris hawk attacked over 20 people, mainly tall men, before being captured by a falconer who attributed the behaviour to hormonal issues. School forced to ban children from playground as dive-bombing buzzard terrorises village
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
School forced to ban children from playground as dive-bombing buzzard terrorises village
A dive-bombing buzzard has forced a village primary school to ban children from going outside following a spate of attacks. The bird of prey has been attacking villagers in Havering-atte-Bower, near Romford, Essex, since Easter weekend, according to residents. Dame Tipping Primary School said 'nothing can be done' but to keep pupils inside due to the animal being a protected species. Resident Nikki Dix, 37, said she was 'dead shocked' after the bird left scratch marks on her head while she was walking through a park in March. '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,' she said. Footage showed the buzzard swooping down on Louise Whittle, a parent of a pupil at the school, as it appeared to aim for her head. She said: 'It's absolutely bonkers that there is a buzzard attacking people. But it's been a great learning experience for the children. 'They have learnt all about buzzards that they otherwise wouldn't have done. The school has been absolutely fantastic in prioritising the children's safety and finding other alternatives for getting out.' However, she worried that "the birds are being prioritised over the children" and voiced her hope "hopeful that they fly away so everyone can get back to normal". Headteacher Ms McCarthy said: 'We have also introduced additional indoor breaks with lots of engaging activities including traditional board games, cup stacking competitions and puzzles.' A Havering Council spokesperson said: "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." In March, a rogue hawk caused mayhem in a Hertfordshire village after it began a campaign of violence, targeted mainly at tall men. The bird, which is usually native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile, was responsible for over 20 attacks after a 'sudden change in behaviour'. The Harris hawk was sighted several times in the historic parish village of Flamstead, with professionals and local falconers recruited in an attempt to bring the bird under control. Speaking to The Times, Roy Lambden, 68, said he was out walking when he 'felt a whack' on his head, and soon realised he was bleeding. 'It was only from the corner of my eye that I realised it was a bird because I saw it fly away. I was one of the first to be hit by it,' he said. 'Since then, around 20 people I know have been attacked. Lots of bleeding heads — my friend who is bald has got two scars from it.' The hawk was captured in April by a falconer, who said it had been carrying out the attacks because it was 'hormonal'.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Dive-bombing buzzard terrorises primary school
A dive-bombing buzzard has forced a primary school to ban pupils from going outside during breaktime following a spate of attacks. Children at Dame Tipping Primary School in Havering-atte-Bower, north-east London, have had to stay inside since Easter for fear of the bird of prey. The bird has been terrorising villagers for months, but because buzzards are a protected species, the school says there is 'nothing which can be done' beyond the outdoor ban. The case strikes a startling resemblance to another bird of prey, a Harris Hawk nicknamed 'Bomber Harris' that attacked more than 50 people in Flamstead, Hertfordshire, in March. Bomber Harris was eventually caught and later adopted by Wayne Housden, a falconer. Stella McCarthy, the headteacher of the school, said the 'difficult decision' to ban outdoor play was made after the buzzard became 'highly present' in the playground. She said: 'As a school, safeguarding and protecting children is of paramount importance.' 'Dead shocked' The school rule comes after several incidents in the Greater London village, located north of Romford, with one woman claiming she was 'dive-bombed' by the buzzard while walking in the park in March. Nikki Dix, 37, 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 aback 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 decided to use the situation as a learning experience for pupils, who have created posters promoting the protection of birds – and have even named the buzzard 'Brenda'. Louise Whittle, a parents of one of the school's pupils, also narrowly missed being injured by the buzzard. She said Dame Tipping has handled the issue 'brilliantly'. Footage shows the moment the buzzard flies down from the roof of a nearby house, appearing to aim for the mother's head. Ms Whittle said: 'It's absolutely bonkers that there is a buzzard attacking people. But 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, Ms Whittle added that she is still 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'. Ms McCarthy said: 'Luckily, as part of LIFE Education Trust, we have had excellent support enabling us to use the trust minibus 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 boardgames, cup stacking competitions and puzzles.' Dame Tipping 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 hiring a falconry expert. A Havering council spokesman said: '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.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Dive-bombing buzzard's reign of terror forces primary school children inside at break times
A divebombing buzzard has been terrorising villagers for months and has even caused a primary school to ban pupils from going outside during break time. Children at Dame Tipping Primary School in Havering-atte-Bower have been forced to stay inside since Easter through fear of injury by the bird of prey, believed to be part of a mating pair. But, as buzzards are protected, the school says 'nothing which can be done' beyond the outdoor ban. Headteacher Stella McCarthy said the 'difficult decision' 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 rule comes after several incidents in the Greater London village, located to the north of Romford - with one woman claiming she was 'dive-bombed' by the buzzard while walking in the park in March. Nikki Dix, 37, 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 decided to use the situation as a learning experience for pupils, who have created posters promoting the protection of birds - and have even named the buzzard 'Brenda'. One parent, Louise Whittle, who herself narrowly missed being injured by the buzzard, said the school has handled the issue 'brilliantly'. Footage shows the moment a buzzard flies down from the roof of a nearby house, appearing to aim for the mum's head. She said: 'It's absolutely bonkers that there is a buzzard attacking people. 'But 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, Louise added that she is still 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 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 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: '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.'
