Buzzard bait - Page 5 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-17-2004, 09:28 AM

"mrbubl" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<0oGyc.11254$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].pas.earth link.net>...
> Angry Buzzard Terrorizes English Country Road
>
> Fri Jun 11, 7:26 AM ET Add Oddly Enough - Reuters to My Yahoo!
>
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> LONDON (Reuters) - An angry buzzard is terrorizing a quiet English country
> road by dive-bombing passing cyclists, newspapers reported on Friday.
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> Paul Taylor, 71, said the bird of prey used its beak and claws to rip a
> three-inch gash in his head as he cycled along the stretch of road near
> Holsworthy, in Devon, western England.Buzzard dies dive-bombing a van
>

An angry buzzard which was blamed for more than 20 attacks on cyclists
on a country road in Devon has died after dive-bombing a van.
The RSPB said the aggressive bird of prey was accidentally killed on
Wednesday when it swooped on the vehicle near Holsworthy.

Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have
been protecting a nest.

The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their
helmets.

Emma Parkin from the RSPB said the driver of the van that hit the bird
had reported the accident immediately.

She said it was unusual for buzzards to attack humans, which suggested
it had once been in captivity.

She said: "It was just being a good parent, although it was probably
rather too enthusiastic."

There is probably a single parent buzzard flying around now
Emma Parkin, RSPB
She said it was likely the buzzard was one of a pair and the surviving
bird would now care for the chicks.

"There is probably a single parent buzzard flying around now, I hope
that's the case.

"The chicks should be pretty robust by now anyway, but this will
definitely mean their chances of survival have diminished."

Retired toolmaker Paul Dixon, 71, North Devon secretary of the
Cyclists Touring Club, was among those who fell victim to the buzzard
on the A3072 between Brandis Corner and Anvil Corner.

He was not wearing a cycle helmet when the angry bird swooped on him
on one occasion - he was left with blood pouring from three scratches
on his head.

All 22 competitors in two long-distance cycle races were also attacked
at the same spot nearly a fortnight ago.

The attacks forced a time trial and another scheduled bike ride to be
re-routed last weekend.

Story from BBC NEWS:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Published: 2004/06/17 10:13:30 GMT

© BBC MMIV

06-18-2004, 01:36 PM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 09:28:32 +0000, Garrison Hilliard wrote:

>
> Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have been
> protecting a nest.
>
> The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their helmets.
>

Is this intended to start an argument about the need for helmets when
cycling near bird nests ?

06-18-2004, 01:36 PM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 09:28:32 +0000, Garrison Hilliard wrote:

>
> Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have been
> protecting a nest.
>
> The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their helmets.
>

Is this intended to start an argument about the need for helmets when
cycling near bird nests ?

06-18-2004, 01:36 PM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 09:28:32 +0000, Garrison Hilliard wrote:

>
> Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have been
> protecting a nest.
>
> The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their helmets.
>

Is this intended to start an argument about the need for helmets when
cycling near bird nests ?

06-18-2004, 01:36 PM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 09:28:32 +0000, Garrison Hilliard wrote:

>
> Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have been
> protecting a nest.
>
> The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their helmets.
>

Is this intended to start an argument about the need for helmets when
cycling near bird nests ?

06-18-2004, 01:36 PM

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 09:28:32 +0000, Garrison Hilliard wrote:

>
> Experts believe the buzzard - which has a 1m wingspan - could have been
> protecting a nest.
>
> The bird had been swooping on cyclists, gouging holes in their helmets.
>

Is this intended to start an argument about the need for helmets when
cycling near bird nests ?