Runner clawed by swooping buzzard in Mourne Mountains

The buzzard is the most widespread UK bird of prey

A man has urged people to be vigilant after he was injured by swooping buzzards while running near the Mourne Mountains.

Steven Morgan said he has experienced two separate incidents involving birds swooping down on him near Fofanny Dam Reservoir and in Donard Forest over the past number of weeks.

A Royal Society for the Protection of Birds spokesperson told BBC News NI that one possible reason for a buzzard or buzzards to act in this way is that they they are "defending its nest or young".

The RSPB said it would be rare that buzzards come into physical contact with people.

The spokesperson advised that as this is still the bird's nesting season, people should give areas where they are known to be located "a wide berth until the birds have left the nest".

One incident earlier this month left Mr Morgan bleeding, with several cuts to his head.

Another incident involving a swooping bird happened while he was out on a run in woods on Thursday.

Mr Morgan told BBC News NI that he believes a number of buzzards are nesting in the area and may have mistaken him as a threat to their chicks.

Runner Steven Morgan says he has been attacked by swooping buzzards on two occasions over the past month.

The buzzard is a protected species and is the most widespread UK bird of prey.

Their wingspan can vary from 48in (122cm) up to 60in (152cm).

The buzzard is sometimes known as the "tourist eagle" because people commonly mistake it for its larger fellow raptor.

'Claws on my head'

Mr Morgan runs for Barf, the Belfast Association of Rock-climbers and Fell Runners.

"I wanted to do a nine-mile run and I know there was an eight mile loop around near Donard Forest, so I decided to do that because it's a bit more sheltered when the weather isn't great," he said.

"About six miles into my run, just after I took a phone call, I got the first swoop and I could really feel the claws on my head.

"You really do hear it when they swoop and one of them hit me three times, I ended up looking up and shouting 'Enough!'. After I could feel the blood dripping down and around my eyes."

Mr Morgan said despite being not seriously injured in the incident, he was left quite shaken and took a different route back to avoid encountering the birds again.

Mr Morgan said it is important that walkers, runners and hikers in the area are aware that these birds are there and may feel threatened by their presence.

Analysis: BBC News NI agriculture and environment correspondent Louise Cullen

Buzzards have been a bit of a success story on the island of Ireland.

They were extinct by the start of the 20th century mostly due to human persecution, but spread in from Scotland via County Antrim all over the island.

Like most birds during nesting season, their priority will be to protect their young.

Buzzards give an alarm call to try to deter anything they perceive as a threat but we as humans may not realise that’s what we’re hearing.

The birds will swoop if they feel the threat is too severe.