Buzzard swoops on cyclist

Audlem Online has received this fascinating piece from Nicholas of Nantwich. He warns it might save people a few headaches if he lets people know of his experience! He says: 

"I was amazed, when I did a search on Google, when I came across several entries for 'buzzard attacks cyclist' and then saw Audlem mentioned and clicked on.

"I was amazed because what prompted the search in the first place had been a 'run in' – or 'fly in'- that I'd had earlier that day with a buzzard whilst out riding my bike – at Coole Pilate of all places! 

"I had just turned into Hollingreen Lane off Coole Lane and rode under a couple of oaks when I became aware of a large bird landing in one of the trees.

"I actually looked up at it and then turned back to look at the road and shortly after it flew out of the tree and just above and off in front of me – a few feet above my head. It kind of surprised me but I just thought that being so close to it in the tree I must have startled it, causing it to fly off. 

"Maybe ten seconds later – after I just come out from the trees – I got a fair old clunk on the back of my head – the buzzard had actually attacked me! I stopped and got off. And I could see it circling around.

"So I didn't really want to get back on because I was sure that if I did it would dive bomb me again. In fact it did give me a small cut – the blow didn't really hurt at all – it just really surprised me.

"I didn't know they did this. Anyway when it was far enough away circling over the fields, I got back on and pedalled off – keeping a pretty good eye on it until I was sure I was safe. 

"I got to wondering why it had behaved so aggressively and at first I thought it'd probably had a nest close by which it was defending. But then I got thinking about my short haircut and whether my bonce – on the move as it was (albeit at a very modest rate) – had not perhaps triggered some kind of automatic predatory response as might happen when a bird of prey sees a rabbit.

"Possible, but buzzard's no doubt have pretty sharp eyesight and it must have clocked the not inconsiderable (hence the cycling) bit attached to it -namely the rest of my body. 

"I suppose it is at least one good reason for wearing a helmet but if I go that route I think I might try a detachable pom-pom. 

"I wonder whether it was the same buzzard that Chris J encountered in 2010?" 

Nicholas F. Nantwich

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