A scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds released in 1963. Tourists visiting the Farne Islands have been forced to dive for cover in scenes reminiscent of the film ” The Birds ” during visits to a huge nesting site !!!
Thousands of terns nesting on the isolated Farne Islands are dive-bombing and pecking people’s heads forcing them to take cover during visits to islands off the coast of Northumberland.
Even bird watchers trying to photograph them are watching helplessly as the creatures attack their cameras.
Will Scott, National Trust Ranger, said: ‘The terns are trying to protect their eggs and also to protect their chicks.
‘Obviously they nest quite close to the board walk which gives them a bit of protection from the gulls who come and take their eggs.
‘It’s a bit of a love hate relationship because the humans that are protecting them by chasing away the gulls are also quite close to their eggs which is why they are pecking head and can drop a little present on you as well.’
But the attacks are not putting off tourists visiting the islands.
One visitor said: ‘I think they’re fantastic, it is the first time I have been for years. I’m not scared, what’s the point in being scared, they’re just friendly. I really love them.’
Another said: ‘They are absolutely fantastic, this is the second time I have been and I’d recommend it to anybody.’
When asked about visitors being scared of the birds, she said: ‘They know what they’re coming into, they should be prepared and bring a hat. It’s no good hitting the birds, they are just protecting their nest.’
The Farne Islands are a group of 20 islands and are home to hundreds of seals and one of Britain’s largest sea bird colonies.
Mr Scott said: ‘The Farne Islands are really important for arctic tern. We are one of the largest colonies in England and one of the most successful as well.
‘The presence of people makes the terns a lot more successful, a lot more collective as a colony and produce a lot more chicks because of the lack of
predators who come and steal their chicks while they are raising them.’
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