A PICTURESQUE country lane has become a no-go area after walkers have been attacked - by flocks of 'dive-bombing' buzzards.

Posters have been put up warning anyone travelling from Kempsey to Kinnersley through Kerswell Green that they do so at their own risk.

Five attacks have been recorded - four in the past month - with one even involving a bird swooping at the aerial on a moving car.

Group Capt Richard Bridges has been a victim of the winged predators twice in the past four weeks.

"I was walking up Kinnersley Rise, which has old oak trees on either side, and I suddenly saw two buzzards circling overheard," said the 69-year-old, who served in the RAF for 37 years.

"One stayed high, but the other swooped down to take a closer look at me.

"I carried on walking, lost sight of it and then it came from behind and attacked the back of my head.

"I fell to the floor and, fortunately, a passing motorist saw what happened and picked me up."

The attack left him with three scars on his head, which required medical treatment.

But he was determined not to let the birds keep him from his healthy strolls.

"I wanted to carry on walking that way so, next time, I took a hat and walking stick to protect myself," he said. "Then I saw five buzzards flying high, but suddenly lost sight of two of them.

"I went into a field to see if they'd landed and, when I came back, all five had disappeared. By the time I reached Kinnersley Rise, they'd reappeared.

"Four swooped down to attack me, while the fifth - who I called the lookout - stayed high overhead.

"I had a stick, but I couldn't protect myself from all four, so I had to turn back the way I had come. I love birds as much as anyone, but the welfare of humans, and especially children, must come first. I believe the birds need to be destroyed."

A young women was also attacked by buzzards as she walked through the area, while Roy Butler, of nearby Severn Stoke, was 'warned off' when three circled 10 feet above him as he walked.

Valerie Osborne, of the RSPB, said the birds of prey became very defensive of their territory during the nesting season.

"We've had a few reports of attacks this year and last, and that might be because they've been breeding more successfully than before," she said.

"During the incidents, they tend to fly for the back of people's heads to frighten them off."

BUZZ-WORDS

The buzzard is Britain's commonest bird of prey. It is quite large with broad, rounded wings, and a short neck and tail.

It's around 22ins long with a wingspan of up to 4ft. When gliding and soaring it will often hold its wings in a shallow V.

It nests in trees and hilly crags with open farmland and moorland nearby to feed over.

You'll see it most on farmland with wooded hills and moorland.

Look (out) for birds soaring over wooded hillsides in fine weather, or perched on fence posts and pylons.

It eats small mammals, birds and carrion - but not people!