Bird of Prey attack on jogger could be linked to lockdown

Louise Walsh

A veteran athlete was left dazed and bloody after being attacked by a bird of prey while out jogging, in a bizarre incident which may be linked to Covid-19 lockdown.

Sean Carpenter was out on his daily run when the creature - believed to be a buzzard - swooped down and dug its sharp talons into his head before flying up into the sky and circling back for a second strike.

The 45-year-old from Rathbran, County Meath was left in a state of shock and with blood pumping from his wounds, ran home to seek medical advice.

Luckily two puncture wounds in his head didn't need stitching but still warranted a tetanus injection and course of antibiotics for Sean, who is a seasoned runner with Dunleer AC.

"I was out running about a mile from my house at 4pm last Thursday and was passing an area of rocks and trees along the main Collon/Kells Road when I felt something going through my hair and a swooshing sound like a glider," he said.

"The next thing, I felt an almighty bang on my head. I looked up to see this creature flying up into the sky and circling around like a missile back to my head for a second hit.

"The big bird then went up into a tree and stared aggressively at me. I thought to myself , jeepers! what happens if it brings his friends, it'll be like an Alfred Hitchcock film.

"I was a bit dazed and then I felt a lot of blood so I decided to get out of there and jogged slowly away to avoid aggravating the bird. I called the doctor who brought me straight in for an examination and saw the two puncture marks on my head.

"Thankfully the bleeding had stopped and I didn't need stitches but I did need a course of antibiotics and a tetanus injection. I had terrible headaches for a few days afterwards too

"Apparently a woman was also attacked by a bird while walking on the road the following day.

"I've been running for 25 years and have never experienced anything like this. I just kept thinking what if it was a young child or a cyclist who might have been pushed into oncoming traffic by the bird. It could've been a lot worse."

The attack could be linked to Covid-19, according to Niall Hatch of Birdwatch who has heard of another similar incident in the last few weeks in Co. Dublin.

"These kind of attacks are extremely rare and what we are thinking is that Buzzards have nested this year closer to main roads and footpaths because of the lack of human activity during Covid-19 lockdown.

"They are extremely territorial so when people are out and about again, they are trying to fend off would-be attackers from the nest. It's terrible for those who have been attacked but the good news is that the nesting season is about to end so any attacks, however rare, should also finish.

"We would just advise people to try and stay away from any areas where these birds are known to nest and if any incidents occur, report them to the National Parks and Wildlife Service."