Public warned to avoid beauty spot near Moray following attacks by bird of prey
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The public is being warned to avoid a scenic spot under siege from a defensive bird of prey believed to be guarding her chicks.
The buzzard has targeted both runners and cyclists in a series of frightening attacks near Auldearn.
Stephen Fraser, chairman of Nairn Road Runners, has issued advice to members to stay clear of the area during the nesting season.
This follows several reports of a buzzard swooping on runners going up Brightmony Brae and along the Lethen Road.
The latest victim was swooped on twice about two miles from the village, suffering scratches to his head.
The runner said: "It was towards the top of the hill I looked up and saw this impressive beast in the air.
"I jogged on up the hill then there was this massive bang on the back of my head.
"My stupid response was to run after it cursing it.
"There were scratches to the back of my head as I had taken my hat off because of the heat.
"I started jogging again and it attacked me a second time."
The runner decided to walk some distance before he felt it was safe to set off again.
He added: "It's a very popular area with runners, walkers and cyclists.
"The brae is a good challenge but the consequences for a cyclist going downhill could be very serious if attacked."
Mr Fraser said it would be best to avoid the route.
He said: "It's clearly a nesting buzzard and our members have reported being attacked there over the past three years."
"It must be using the same nesting site in the woods.
I know it's been a quite terrifying experience.
"But it's a wild bird protecting its young and we should just give it space.
"It's one thing a runner getting clobbered but it could be much more serious if it attacked a cyclist hurting down the brae."
There have been several similar reports from Nairn Road Runners who use the route regularly running up towards Lethen from Auldearn.
Gillian Cummins, a music teacher, and keen walker and runner was swooped upon in the same area last year.
She said: "It was very frightening and it happened so suddenly.
"I really felt I was being mugged by a human being because there was absolutely no sound.
"It was only after I was struck I realised what had happened and saw this big powerful bird flying off over the treetops.
"It was so silent. It must have glided in from behind me and I couldn't hear any flapping of wings.
"I had a couple of bumps to my head and scratches where its talons drew blood so I went to have a tetanus injection.
"I only go back now in the winter outwith the nesting season and stop about March.
"It's a beautiful run because you have panoramic views over Auldearn and the Moray Firth.
"At the end of the day its a wild animal and it's just protecting its chicks and its territory, so the best advice is to avoid the area.
"I do a lot of hill walking and buzzards and skuas will swoop down on you but they never actually attack you like this."
Another club member who had similar experiences put up warning signs on fence posts last year while one runner said she had been attacked six times.
Female buzzards are larger than males and have a wingspan of up to 1.4 metres.
A spokesperson for RSPB Scotland said: "The advice from the chairman of the running club seems to be very sensible.
"It’s tricky to say exactly when the young buzzards will be fledged, but we would advise keeping an eye on the situation over the summer.
"The breeding success of buzzards depends largely on a good food supply and a lack of interference from humans, either illegal or accidental.
"The behaviour will likely stop as soon as the young leave the nest."
