School pressured to ban youngsters from playground as dive-bombing buzzard terrorises village | EUROtoday

A dive-bombing buzzard has pressured a village main faculty to ban youngsters from going outdoors following a spate of assaults.

The fowl of prey has been attacking villagers in Havering-atte-Bower, close to Romford, Essex, since Easter weekend, in line with residents.

Dame Tipping Primary School mentioned “nothing can be done” however to maintain pupils inside as a result of animal being a protected species.

Resident Nikki Dix, 37, mentioned she was “dead shocked” after the fowl left scratch marks on her head whereas she was strolling by 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 mentioned.

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Footage confirmed the buzzard swooping down on Louise Whittle, a mother or father of a pupil on the faculty, because it appeared to intention for her head.

She mentioned: “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 nervous 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 mentioned: “We have also introduced additional indoor breaks with lots of engaging activities including traditional board games, cup stacking competitions and puzzles.”

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A Havering Council spokesperson mentioned: “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 below UK regulation, due to this fact our intervention choices are very restricted, and now we have suggested that warning indicators can be the best resolution presently.

“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 induced mayhem in a Hertfordshire village after it started a marketing campaign of violence, focused primarily at tall males.

The fowl, which is often native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile, was accountable for over 20 assaults after a “sudden change in behaviour”.

The Harris hawk was sighted a number of instances within the historic parish village of Flamstead, with professionals and native falconers recruited in an try and deliver the fowl below management.

Speaking to The TimesRoy Lambden, 68, mentioned he was out strolling when he “felt a whack” on his head, and shortly 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 mentioned.

“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 mentioned it had been finishing up the assaults as a result of it was “hormonal”.