Hi all, thought I'd join up today just to share a pretty bizarre experience with you all and ask if anything similar had ever happened to others....
I was just attacked by a bird of prey (a sparrow hawk I think)....
Riding through a tree lined road in the country (In angus in Scotland) whan I felt a fairly substantial knock/impact on the back of my helmet. I looked back expecting to see a segull or similar, I was astonished and petrified to see it was in fact a bird of prey - about 3ft wingspan. It was following me and intermittently swooping down at me. I was weaving about all over the place to try and avoid it (thank god no oncoming cars). It only did get me the once but chased me for a good 500m or so. I ended up taking cover in a garage at the side of the road for 15 minutes before setting off again.
Never saw it again and after the ride I called a local wildlife sanctuary who suggested that it was probably a adult sparrow hawk who was protecting her fledlings who typicall nest in hedgerows at the side of the road.
Certainly got me to increase my pace for a bit, and I havent looked behind me so much on a ride evr before. Totally petrified me!!
Has anyone else ever had this happen to them?
If it happens again, whats the best course of action to take? Outrunning it is NOT an option
Thanks
Steve
I was just attacked by a bird of prey (a sparrow hawk I think)....
Riding through a tree lined road in the country (In angus in Scotland) whan I felt a fairly substantial knock/impact on the back of my helmet. I looked back expecting to see a segull or similar, I was astonished and petrified to see it was in fact a bird of prey - about 3ft wingspan. It was following me and intermittently swooping down at me. I was weaving about all over the place to try and avoid it (thank god no oncoming cars). It only did get me the once but chased me for a good 500m or so. I ended up taking cover in a garage at the side of the road for 15 minutes before setting off again.
Never saw it again and after the ride I called a local wildlife sanctuary who suggested that it was probably a adult sparrow hawk who was protecting her fledlings who typicall nest in hedgerows at the side of the road.
Certainly got me to increase my pace for a bit, and I havent looked behind me so much on a ride evr before. Totally petrified me!!
Has anyone else ever had this happen to them?
If it happens again, whats the best course of action to take? Outrunning it is NOT an option
Thanks
Steve