Dive-bombing buzzard cancels race

A mountain running race has been cancelled because of a dive-bombing buzzard.

The organiser of the junior fell running race at Foel Fenlli in the Clwydian Range, Denbighshire, said he came into contact with the bird while running in the area.

"I was following a path along the valley when I suddenly felt something hit the back of my head accompanied by a swooshing sound," Nigel Crompton said.

The Fell Runners Association said it was not safe for people to take part in the event on Sunday, and that it would not be fair on the protected species.

Fell running is a type of hill or mountain running, and often involves routes with no paths.

The race in the Clwydian Range has been held since 2023 and is one of the races in the English Junior Fell Championships, with participants from seven years old.

Mr Crompton described looking up and seeing the buzzard fly away from him after swooping down.

"Within seconds it circled round and headed straight back towards me. My initial instinct was to run faster and get out of there but several times I felt and heard it swooping down against the back of my head.

"Apparently, you're not supposed to run. I know that now. I was divebombed several more times but found that by stopping and facing it the bird was more likely to stay high.

"It continued to circle around menacingly, however, until I was clear of the area. It was magnificent and yet unnerving."

Mr Crompton said he raised concerns about junior athletes being targeted by the bird.

"Thoughts quickly moved from survival to the race in just a few days.

"I had by now Googled buzzard attacks and discovered them incredibly prevalent in the Highlands, in the Lakes and in Shropshire, especially targeting runners. The advice, after all, is not to run."

After speaking to the Fell Runners Association and local Rangers in the Clwydian Range, Mr Crompton was then advised the race should not go ahead.

"Concerns were obviously for the safety of our junior athletes with fears that more runners in the area may further distress and agitate the birds and concerns for the disturbance of a protected species," he said.

"The main message, for me, is for people to be aware. I have been running in these hills for years and never encountered this before and yet now find that buzzard attacks are not uncommon and runners seem to be most targeted.

"Knowledge is powerful, however, and if we are aware then we can both hopefully continue to co-habit the hills in harmony."

A spokesperson for RSPB Cymru said: "Although it's no consolation to those attacked, it is unusual for buzzards, or any other bird of prey, to attack humans.

"The birds are most likely just being good parents and defending their young."

They added that they advised people to avoid the area for the short period of time until the young leave the nest.