Man attacked by buzzard while running in Mournes

Man attacked by buzzard while running in Mournes

3 July 2024

A WARNING has been issued to people running in the Mournes to be vigilant by a man who was targeted by swooping buzzards in the area.

Steven Morgan says he has experienced two separate incidents involving birds swooping down on him near Fofanny Dam Reservoir and in Donard Forest over the past number of weeks.

It’s believed the birds may have been protecting nests in the mountain area.

One incident earlier this month left Mr Morgan bleeding, with several cuts to his head, while another incident involving a swooping bird happened while he was out running in the woods a week ago.

Mr Morgan believes a number of buzzards are nesting in the area and may have mistaken him as a threat to their chicks.

Buzzards are a protected species and is the most widespread UK bird of prey, with wingspans varying from 122cm up to 152cm.

The buzzard is sometimes known as the "tourist eagle" because people commonly mistake it for its larger fellow raptor.

Mr Morgan runs for BARF – the Belfast Association of Rock-climbers and Fell Runners.

"I wanted to do a nine-mile run and I know there was an eight mile loop around near Donard Forest, so I decided to do that because it's a bit more sheltered when the weather isn't great," he said.

"About six miles into my run, just after I took a phone call, I got the first swoop and I could really feel the claws on my head.

"You really do hear it when they swoop and one of them hit me three times, I ended up looking up and shouting 'Enough'. After I could feel the blood dripping down and around my eyes,” he told BBC NI.

Mr Morgan said despite being not seriously injured in the incident, he was left quite shaken and took a different route back to avoid encountering the birds again.

He says it is important that walkers, runners and hikers in the area are aware that these birds are there and may feel threatened by their presence.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds believes one possible reason for a buzzard or buzzards to act in this way is that they are "defending its nest or young”.

The charity said it would be rare that buzzards come into physical contact with people, with a spokesperson advising that as this is still the bird's nesting season, people should give areas where they are known to be located "a wide berth until the birds have left the nest".